Tom Sykes claims World Superbikes pole at Assen

Tom Sykes will head an all-British front row for the Dutch round of the World Superbikes Championship at Assen.

The Kawasaki Racing Team rider clocked a time of one minute 34.789 seconds around the 4.542km circuit to secure the 25th pole position of his career, but his first this season.

Sykes was 0.131 seconds quicker than his team-mate Jonathan Rea, who heads the overall standings after the opening three rounds.

Leon Haslam was 0.547 seconds behind Sykes in third place for the Aprilia Racing Team, with Britain’s Chaz Davies having to settle for fourth spot after a mistake cost him the chance of snatching pole.

Local rider Michael van der Mark was fifth fastest ahead of another Briton in Alex Lowes.   

Leading grid positions:

1 T Sykes (Gbr) Kawasaki 1:34.789

2 J Rea (Gbr) Kawasaki +0.131

3 L Haslam (Gbr) Aprilia +0.547

4 C Davies (Gbr) Ducati +0.636

5 M van der Mark (Ned) Honda +0.830

6 A Lowes (Gbr) Suzuki +0.933

7 X Fores (Esp) Ducati +0.997

8 J Torres (Esp) Aprilia +1.066

9 S Guintoli (Fra) Honda +1.329

10 L Mercado (Arg) Ducati +1.605