Superbikes | Phillip Island, Race1: Rea and Sykes comment on the contact at Lukey Heights

Among the emotions of the first race of the 2020 season, Race1 at Phillip Island, there was certainly the contact between the rider who started from pole, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and the five-time World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) during the opening lap: Rea took the lead but then Sykes, attempting to overtake, touched him and sent him into the gravel at Lukey Heights.

The contact occurred at turn 9. Both were able to continue the race with Rea however returning to 18th and last position. During the fifth lap the Northern Irishman fell and did not reach the finish line.

statements Jonathan Rea

“I got a really good start, then Tom went on the inside at Turn 4. Coming into Lukey Heights I got hit from behind and that's all I know. I was very lucky to end up in the gravel and my motocross skills came in very handy! I tried to manage the tires but I was very fast and was bringing myself back to the leading group. I quickly overtook several riders but when I got to Rinaldi I was wide and too far off line and lost the front and rear at the same time. I'm a bit disappointed in myself if I think we were doing well up until that point."

Tom Sykes statements

“It was a very difficult race. We made a good start but during the first lap Jonathan caught us within a couple of corners. At 3 I almost crashed out but then arriving at Lukey Heights I didn't learn the lesson from the mistake I had made earlier. I couldn't keep the bike down and we touched. I'm sorry, it's never nice when it happens especially at these speeds. As far as the race is concerned, it's a shame that he didn't have the chance to stay on the track."