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Assen WSBK: Sykes in charge after first practice

Kawasaki's Tom Sykes continued to claw his way back into form on the as the Yorkshireman took top spot in the opening World Superbike free practice at Assen.

Sykes has found changes to his ZX-10R brought about by the new regulations this season a bit of a problem, especially in the earlier rounds but there looked to be no such issues at Assen as he posted an unbeatable 1’36.290 to get his weekend off to a positive start.

Perhaps a little surprisingly, Sykes’ closest challenger in the first session in the Netherlands was the homeboy, Michael Van Der Mark.

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The rookie was in flying form in his homeland but he was unable to depose Sykes with a still-impressive 1’36.793, and Chaz Davies picked up where he left off at Aragon with his time of 1’37.273 giving the Welshman a solid foundation for the sessions ahead.

Jonathan Rea could only muster a 1’37.426 as the 28-year-old got a feel for a track he loves while in behind the Ulsterman Sylvain Guintoli affirmed the Pata Honda team’s intentions this weekend with his 1’37.426.

At their home race the pressure is on Guintoli – as if it wasn’t on the defending champion already – and Van Der Mark to deliver. A second and fifth in the first session gives the Dutch outfit great scope to trouble the principals this weekend.

Elsewhere the Red Devils Aprilias of Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres could only finish seventh and 10th, respectively.

Leon Camier continued to fight away with his development of the MV Agusta and a 12th place in first practice will give him encouragement, but the story was very different for Alex Lowes.

The Crescent Suzuki rider’s 1’39.637 left him placed 16th and with that there looks a lot of work to be done if the 24-year-old is to emulate his podium at Thailand this weekend.

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