Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes has called for the second WorldSBK reverse grid system to be scrapped as he believes that not only did it ‘piss on his bonfire’ at Donington Park today but is ultimately dangerous.

Sykes’ reward for winning his nine consecutive race at the Leicestershire circuit yesterday was a ninth-place start this afternoon and while team-mate Jonathan Rea made short work of getting to the front from tenth in one lap, Sykes didn’t make the same kind of progress.

“The race itself got off to a very, very bad way. I have to say in this kind of way I am disappointed to lose my record. If it was a completely straight fight then it makes it better, but all things considered I was beaten fairly and what can I say this day had to arrive at some moment in my life but, unfortunately it came today,” said Sykes, speaking after the race.

“I believe our race pace was very strong, and I know I closed Jonathan quite strongly and there is ultimately only so much I can offer. I was closing the lead but with three laps to go I over asked in some corners, but ultimately it is a shame because when I started the race I was on the inside of the grid. Some people were trying to win the race on the first corner and completely made a mess.

“The reversed grid totally pissed on my bonfire, it made it bad and I ended up fighting with other riders which really cost me. I lost too much time because of this, the grid caused me the biggest problem, but compliments to Jonathan for him to be able to get around the mess in turn one.

“I would say scrap the idea - we have seen too many accidents. With the reverse grid all I have seen that there is a much bigger mess in the first laps. It creates more tension and possibly of danger.”