BSB: Tom Sykes Wins Race Two at Donington Park.
By Dawn Hammersley
Tom Sykes Takes His Second Victory of the Weekend, As Bradley Ray Gets Closer to Wrapping up the 2022 Championship Title.
FHO Racing’s Peter Hickman was on pole position for race two at Donington Park for the penultimate round of the Bennetts British Superbikes, OMG Racing’s Bradley Ray was in second place on the grid, with MCE PBM Ducati’s Tom Sykes taking the last spot on the front row of the grid for race two.
Lights out and Bradley Ray lead the field of superbike riders into Redgate, Leon Haslam crashed out at turn one Redgate. Andrew Irwin was into second place just behind Brad Ray, Tom Sykes held on to his third place.
Tom made his way into second place and was on the back wheel of Ray, Jason O’Halloran was down in seventh place behind Lee Jackson. Sykes took the lead at Redgate on lap three, Tom certainly has found something this weekend!
Tom Neave crashed out at Redgate on lap four. Tom and Brad had a slight gap from the Irwin brothers, Tom put in a new lap record beating Shane Byrne’s 2016 record lap time. O’Halloran, Tommy Bridewell and Lee Jackson were battling for sixth place. If things stay as they are now Bradley will surely have one hand on the 2022 championship trophy.
At the halfway stage of the race Tom put in yet another record lap time, Bridewell moved up to sixth place and looked to be gaining some time on the front group of riders. Andrew and Glenn Irwin were dicing for third place, Glenn got the third-place position on lap 10; once Glenn was in third, he was on a charge to catch the leading duo.
With five laps to go the leading duo of Sykes and Ray had a 2.3s gap to Glenn Irwin, Bridewell was closing in on Hickman for fourth place. Charlie Nesbitt was having a good ride; the Suzuki replacement rider was in 13th place.
Tom Sykes crossed the finish line to take his second victory of the weekend, Brad Ray finished in second place, Glenn Irwin was third, Andrew Irwin was fourth with Lee Jackson finishing fifth place.
Bradley Ray now leads the standings by 55 points from Bridewell, can Brad wrap up the 2022 championship title in race three?
Featured Images: Olithephoto.