Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes topped the World Superbike Superpole session at a wet and slippery Magny-Cours track, and even though he bagged his nineteenth career pole position in the series he still feels the bike needs to improve and wants to go even faster during the two races tomorrow.

The rider was also quickest in the wet Superpole One session on a busy track with a narrow drying racing line. Sykes therefore entered the second and final wet Superpole session on a high and was fastest at the mid point before Aprilia's Eugene Laverty temporarily edged him out.

Selecting a qualifying rear tyre as the track slowly dried out, Sykes went for another Superpole win to add to his career total of 18. He achieved his ambition despite finding other riders cruising on the racing line on two occasions, forcing him to adapt his approach but still come out on top, by 0.805 seconds, from his championship rival Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli.

“I am happy because we have proved again that we can do it and that the bike works well here. This is a great place to get pole position, especially in these conditions. Three riders in two corners made it very difficult for me in the fast lap so I am sure it was very exciting for those watching on TV,” said Sykes.

“From where I was sitting it was quite dangerous. I hope it is dry tomorrow because if we have good conditions everybody will be fighting and putting on a good show for the crowd. The Ninja ZX-10R is working well but we can still improve it even more in wet conditions. In dry conditions we know what to expect. Overall we will go and relax now, get a good sleep and come out ready to race tomorrow.”