Factory Kawasaki's Tom Sykes had to adjust the balance of his ZX-10R World Superbike in between races one and two at Phillip Island earlier today after high wind meant he was getting blown around the track necessitating a change in strategy for the Huddersfield man.

Sykes just missed a podium ini race one but made amends in the second outing, finding grip where Jonathan Rea had none out of the final corner to pip the Irishman across the line, taking a well-deserved final podium and third place in the championship standings.

“In race one I got a good start and over race distance I had been feeling really strong all week. It was a very difficult race with the wind blowing me and the bike around but to be honest I had to use my head a bit and not get sucked into too much fighting. I was just trying to manage the gap behind, but to come away with a fourth, on a track like this, using the same tyres as the guys on the podium, is a bit of a first for us," said Sykes.

"It shows the progress Kawasaki has made over the winter. To take the podium on the last lap was really satisfying and the bike has been working really well in winter testing so big thanks to the team; they were very focused. Race two was even more windy than race one but my crew chief and team changed the balance of the bike and compensated for some things. For sure we arrived at the limit but we were able to maintain a consistent pace right to the end. I had a good fight with Max for a couple of laps and a few corners. So to come away with pole position, third and fourth in the races? I am over the moon, because this circuit has never been a strong one for us in the past.”