Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes managed to grab the second World Superbike race win at Buriram today despite his front Pirelli giving up after only six laps meaning he had to change his entire strategy in order to keep Jonathan Rea and Chaz Davies behind him.

Sykes altered lines and braking markers in order to keep the opposition in check and despite moment exiting the final turn when his over-enthusiastic traction control slowed the Huddersfield rider momentarily, he was able to pip Rea to the chequered flag.

“It’s a great feeling and too long coming. I feel in Phillip Island we didn’t get what we deserved but we dug deep and got what we needed this weekend. It was a big surprise for me as we had a good pace until lap six when we really started to struggle with the front tyre,” said Sykes, speaking at the track.

“I was expecting to drop like a stone and saw on the screen the list of riders behind me which put me under a lot of pressure. I had to go back to the drawing board and change how we managed the bike. Jonathan showed me some passes but because we changed the way we needed to make the laptimes, it was difficult for any of them to stick.

“I knew where he was strong and was able to close the door. I am happy because he is very strong here, I was weak here last season so we have crossed over one of the bridges we needed to.”