Not quite another Superpole win to add to his all-time collection of Tissot watches, but fastest on Friday, while giving away lot of power and speed to his rivals still, was all about the nature of the layout of Assen, Sykes’ peerless abilities over one lap and the sweet-handling nature of the new S1000RR?

Especially that final part?

“Exactly,” Sykes told bikesportnews.com “The whole of the team is working really well. We were off to a steady start this morning.

“We are still limited in some areas but we had a very productive FP1. We got a lot of info for set-up. I went away after that and enjoyed the fine hospitality we have, relaxed for a bit, and then we made a good plan for this afternoon.

We cut one item out of that plan, after the direction that we gave them, but the bike is certainly working really well in a lot of areas.”

Sykes knows he cannot compete in races right now with a lack of top speed and simple engine power for passing and not being passed, but he is more than ready to make his mark on the twistier circuits like Imola and Jerez – and maybe Assen, but for one particular section.

“I was excited coming here and certainly the next two rounds on the calendar are where I hope to capitalise, because there is still one horsepower sector,” said Sykes.

“But, in general, there are a lot more turns and this is where we can look to show our potential. And my team-mate is doing a really good job also, so both BMWs are where I feel we should be.

“I am looking forward to Saturday now, and there is still a little bit of fine-tuning to do to the bike. I just hope the rain stays away.

If the rain comes, with these temperatures, it is going to absolutely be a wrecking yard out there. The wet tyres will just not operate.

“Just thinking about safety for once I think it is something that should be considered for the future. Even on the slicks it is enough, so if it is wet I think it is potential disaster for everybody.”

Sykes thinks that Assen is possibly just too early in the WorldSBK calendar – not even halfway into April yet.

“The date, yes,” said Sykes. “It has been quite cold the last few years and just with these temperatures, if the forecast is correct and we get the rain tomorrow it is going to be horrendous.”

Sykes and his BMW team started to use their split throttles they way they were intended at Motorland last time out, and the more subtle throttle openings on full lean and corner entry have already had a positive effect at Assen, it seems.

“We played around more with electronics today and credit to those guys I think BMW has done a fantastic job with the electronics,” said Sykes. “There have always been rumours in the past, etc, etc, but going on my experience the chassis and electronics package at the moment is very strong.

I am looking forward to where we can progress this and we played with it today. At a great circuit here at Assen you are able to get a lot of information while on the side of the tyre and it is good.

“We have tried different combinations of tyres and the guys are on it. We are able to play with he electronics accordingly with that and it is very responsive.”