World Superbike: Tom Sykes crowned champion
TOM SYKES was crowned World Superbike champion after finishing a solid
third place in the fi rst of the two races on the Spanish finale.
Ahead of him Eugene Laverty overcame a late challenge from
Marco Melandri to take his eighth victory of the season but that had no
bearing on the outcome of the championship.
Sykes was strong and
confi dent in third place as he became the fourth British rider to win
the productionbased series, following in the tyre
“I’ve responded
to my critics by standing after giving Kawasaki their first World
Superbike crown since Scott Russell won it back in 1993.
“I’m very emotional and shed a few tears on the slowdown lap – we’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get here.
“I have been waiting a long time for this moment and I was so close to taking the crown last year.
“However, now I have it, so let us enjoy it.”![Sykes finished third in the Jerez [GETTY]](http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/61/photos/205000/39205.jpg)
Sykes finished third in the Jerez
Sykes made the
running in the afternoon’s second race but was denied a winning
celebratory fi nale by Laverty, who completed the daily double aboard
his Aprilia.
Not that Sykes was too downcast about being second,
after the 28-yearold finally overcame the horror of losing the crown by
half a point last year, saying: “This was a great way to end the season.
“This result puts the cherry on top of the world title and I am over the moon with it all. the bike for that race.
"We made some changes to the bike for that race.
“But in reality we did the hard work in the round in France.
![Skyes was keen to enjoy the moment as he feels he has hit back at his critics [GETTY]](http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/61/photos/206000/39206.jpg)
Skyes was keen to enjoy the moment as he feels he has hit back at his critics
I am very happy, very motivated and now we will see if we can do it all again next year.”
Laverty's
double gave him second place in the standings and he is rumoured to be
all set to graduate into MotoGP next year with Ducati.
"That was a nice way to finish the season but Tom was just too strong,” said Laverty.
Sam Lowes rounded off his World Supersport title winning year with a final round victory.
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