Sykes claims Sepang pole

“I will also keep an eye on his teammate, 44-year-old Max Biaggi”, said the 2013 world champion.

Following a two week break since Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, the 2015 World Superbike Championship headed to Sepang worldwide Circuit in Malaysia.

The result sees Davies moving up to second in the overall standings with 308 points.

A subsequent battle between Rea and Davies saw the lead change hands three times on the final lap before the Northern Irishman held firm to move within touching distance of the title.

Biaggi came home a lonely third to claim his 71st World Superbike podium, well ahead of Pata Honda’s Sylvain Guintoli, (his best finish of the season so far) and Sykes.

Two weeks ago in the US, the Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils rider crashed out of race one while running in sixth and was only able to recover into a lowly 13th, while in race two he lost out to team-mate Jordi Torres to scamper home in fifth.

Sykes is now 125 points behind Rea, who would become Northern Ireland’s first motorcycling world champion since Joey Dunlop and Brian in 1986 should he mange the feat, albeit with a significant slice of luck required. “I hope to have fun and to give Superbike fans a good show”.

Kawasaki privateer David Salom, Lowes, Baiocco and Roman Ramos (Kawasaki) made up the rest of the top 10.

He has finished on the podium in every race with 11 of 18 races being wins.

Championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) was first down to Turn 1, only to outbrake himself and run wide as the next six riders dived through.

In the Superpole qualifying to decide the grid for the Sunday’s race, Sykes got his act right when it mattered to take his Kawasaki ZX-10R bike across the line in a 2:03.240, putting him comfortably three tenths of a second faster than Torres.

“The last lap it (tire grip) just dropped off and it was just a case of hanging on and trying not to make any mistakes, it was not easy”, said the Welshman.

A notable absentee from the second session was Roberto Rolfo (Team Lorini Honda), who remained in his box throughout as did his team mate Marcos Ramirez.