TOM SYKES, from Fenay Bridge, moved up to second in the British Superbike Championship after two runner-up places at Cadwell Park.

Sykes, 23, had mastered the inaugural Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole (similar to Formula One qualifying) to seize pole position at the Lincolnshire circuit.

But he was pipped by the HM Plant Honda of Leon Haslam on two occasions, with thechampionship leader and Sykes’ former teammate at Stobart Honda, Shane Byrne, taking two third places.

Sykes led for two-thirds of the opening race and posted the fastest lap before being out-braked at the end of the straight on lap 10 as he took a tear-off from his visor.

He remained in contention for the win right until the end but was just beaten to the chequered flag at the 2.18-mile picturesque track by Haslam.

In the second shortened race Sykes again led from the front, completing seven laps before being passed by Haslam.

The pair fought to the end but no opportunity to pass meant Sykes had to settle for second and move up from third to second, 110 points behind runaway leader ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

“In the first race I was passed and then lost a few tenths when the front wheel slid at the hairpin,” said Sykes, who was aiming for a fourth BSB win of the season, “but there weren’t enough laps left to catch it back again.

“In the second race Leon got past me cleanly and then we had a hard fight right to the end but it is very tight and narrow around Cadwell Park and I didn’t want to risk a dangerous overtake and ended up second again.

“It’s a good double rostrum for Rizla Suzuki, although I would have liked to have won a race to say thank you to the team for all its efforts.

“Second in the title race is what we want and from here on in I’ll be getting my finger out to bring home more silverware. We all want more race wins.”

Sykes and the team Suzuki are back in action again on September 7 at the 11th round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park in Leicestershire as a wild-card entry, before the 10th round of the British Superbike Championship is staged at Croft on September 14.

Team boss Jack Valentine said: “It’s off to World Championship duty for Tom in a fortnight and we want to be challenging for the podium if possible. The GSX-R1000 is right on the money and so is Tom – the fans really helped us at Brands earlier in the month and I hope they’ll come and show their support again at Donington.”