Sunday’s Sepang World Superbike round finally and publicly saw an open rift between Kawasaki team-mates Tom Sykes and Loris Baz with the reigning world champion stating the Frenchman had ‘proved a lot of people right…’

The Huddersfield man was caught up in a three-bike crash at turn two - ostensibly started by Baz - in race one which saw him get tangled up in the rear wheel of Alex Lowes’ Voltcom Suzuki and suffer a wrist injury.

Sykes said that Baz has already rubbed him twice at Phillip Island, once at Assen and was pushing the limit at Donington Park. “There must be a limit between team-mates. Unfortunately Loris proved a lot of people right at my expense…”

Baz has defended himself, saying: “I crashed in race one not to take Tom out. I made a good start and Alex Lowes came inside in the first corner and we were together. I just wanted to pass him in the second one.

“Tom braked really hard to make sure he did not touch anyone in front of him and I had to brake really strongly too. When I did I lost the front and my bike took him and Alex out. It is a big shame for the team but I could not do anything. For me I crashed alone and my bike took somebody out and unfortunately it was Tom.”