Former World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes believes Ducati have stolen a march on Kawasaki and now have the advantage in terms of pace in the 2016 World Superbike Championship.
Chaz Davies has led every session so far at Imola and one the first race this afternoon, and Sykes believes the Bologna factory have taken two or three steps forward whereas Kawasaki have taken just one since last year.
“The bike has improved from where we were last year but we’re still not where we were in 2013 and 2014 but sure the bike has changed and for me it’s better. We’ve seen this in the laptimes and everything else - the only thing that is different is that Chaz and Ducati have raised their game two steps,” said Sykes, speaking at the track.
“This is very easy to see and perhaps it’s more difficult for others to see. The fact is we are going forward but obviously we are not where we used to be. We need to keep working. We had much more speed with the bike in 2013-2014 but we are restricted by rules and regulations.
“I have to say we have improved from last year but we are not how we used to be. The thing is Chaz and Ducati have improved two or three steps and we have improved just one. Chaz has the speed now, which is obvious for everyone to see, but now he can get it in and out of the corners better than his competitors. In this moment, they have the advantage.”