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SBK, Assen: Sykes up front in the rain

Unpleasant weather and a wet track, the Kawasakis immediately take the lead in the first SBK timed practice in Holland. Fifth for Chaz Davies who crashes in the final stages.

Assen: Sykes up front in the rain

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The Dutch weather does its best to hinder proceedings, with rain sweeping the van Drenthe track during the first practice session for the SBK riders.

The British contingent once again prove to be in their element in the wet, occupying four of the top five slots. The two Kawasakis of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea take an early lead, with Tom stopping the clock at 1.54"995, more than 7 tenths faster than his rival and team-mate, with Rea 0.748 of a second behind him.

Third, and the only non-Brit up front, is Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli with the Yamaha, who confirms his positive feelings at the Assen track with an impressive performance in the wet, concluding 0.887 from the  front. Behind him is the other Yamaha, ridden by Alex Lowes, who precedes Chaz Davies. While Lowes closes at -1.487 , the Ducati rider suffers a crash (without consequences) at the end of the session, finishing 2.481 from Sykes.

Sixth for Xavi Fores and the Ducati of team Barni, while in seventh and eighth are the Honda of Nicky Hayden, who completed the most laps (21), and the Aprilia of Alex De Angelis. The Italian was up front during the first part of the session, but returned to the garage after 13 laps with 20 minutes remaining. Presumably he didn't want to take any risks, also considering his less than perfect physical condition after having undergone surgery prior to Aragon.

In ninth is his team-mate Lorenzo Savadori with the second Aprilia of team Iodaracing, who closes in front of Davide Giugliano, tenth and more than 3 seconds from Sykes. Outside the top ten for now is Michael VD Mark. The local rider closes 13th with a time 1.58"545. The final Italian, Matteo Baiocco, is currently lying 19th. 

 

Translated by Heather Watson
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