Battered Kawasaki World Superbike star was back on front-running pace on the second day of official testing, setting the fourth fastest time despite having a cracked wrist and sore ribs.
The Huddersfield man was spat off his ZX-10R after only five laps during unofficial testing last week but bounced back to lap at 1'31.261, a quarter of a second slower than fastest man Carlos Checa.
“I definitely used my injured arm a lot today because it has been sleeping. My crew chief has been doing a good job of waking it up. I know that the wrist has been knocked about and you can tell there is a crack in it, likewise the ribs are pretty sore, but I have every confidence in Kawasaki and all of the team," said Sykes.
"Big thanks to my crew chief Marcel and my team manager Guim because they made a very important call to make on Thursday after the accident. We have started to regroup now and be where we need to be. There is still work to be done but with six hours track time the boys have done a fantastic job, one that has made my life easier. I can get on and ride the bike and I am enjoying it.
"I had been a little bit tense due to the circuit catching me out a few days ago, but I finished well, with a lot of information. I am fortunate to have some clever people working with me and we have made up for lost ground. We did a lot of laps yesterday and felt OK when I woke up this morning.”
