Tom Sykes’ first victory ends Jonathan Rea’s winning streak

Assen : Tom Sykes recorded his first World Super Bike victory of the season as he ended championship leader Jonathan Rea’s Assen winning streak.

Reigning world champion Rea had claimed his eighth straight win at the Dutch circuit on Saturday.

But Sykes overshadowed the Northern Irishman this time, with Michael van der Mark (Yamaha) finishing behind the two Kawasakis to claim a second successive podium in front of his home crowd.

Sykes started from pole and produced a dominant performance to repeat his 2013 Assen win.

Xavi Fores (Ducati) finished fourth, with Welshman Chaz Davies (Ducati) fifth and Jordi Torres (MV Agusta) sixth.

Rea’s lead at the top of the championship standings from Davies now stands at 30 points.