PICS: Sykes slams WorldSBK rule after losing podium in cool down crash

Tom Sykes says ‘the rules need to be looked at’ after losing his second-place finish in the Superpole Race at Donington Park post-race due to a fall on the cool down lap.

Sykes was in a fierce battle for victory with Jonathan Rea when the red flag was shown in the wake of a series of crashes caused by oil on the circuit at the Melbourne Loop.

The BMW rider would have been classified second but folded the front of the S1000RR during the cool down lap as he toured back to the pits.

Moreover, Rea ahead was also almost caught out, the Kawasaki sliding under braking but staying upright, whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu (classified second) was almost forced off as he avoided the crashing Sykes.

Crucially, however, it meant Sykes could not get back to the pits in the five-minute window under his own power, prompting officials to remove him from the results altogether much to his anger.

Pointing out there was the distraction of unsighted vehicles on track beyond the crest of the hill that leads up and down towards the corner, Sykes has called for a review in the rules.

“You tell me [what happened],” he told Eurosport. “It is very disappointing that, since I suppose if the organisation could sort out the flags then I would understand. We came over the hill, it was a red flag anyway, and there was already a lot of carnage and there were parked cars in the grass.

“A lot of oil was there, Jonathan almost crashed, I crashed, so I don’t know who makes the rules but I think that one needs to be looked at.

“When we came over the hill even at a red flag and you see cars parked close to the circuit it isn’t really very good.”

A cruel conclusion to another strong race for the British rider, gallingly for BMW the oil was the result of an engine blow for his team-mate Peter Hickman a lap earlier.

It also means he will start down the order in tenth position for the final race of the weekend.