Superbikes: Sykes fastest as Haslam breaks leg

Briton Tom Sykes led the way in first qualifying for the Dutch round of the Superbike World Championship, but compatriot Leon Haslam has been sidelined after fracturing his leg.

Kawasaki rider Sykes set the pace during the morning practice in wet conditions, and followed it up with another dominant display in afternoon qualifying, setting a time of one minute 57.190 seconds. His pace was such that the British rider was almost two seconds quicker than championship leader Sylvain Guintoli aboard his factory Aprilia, with the Frenchman’s team-mate Eugene Laverty third.

Haslam was taken to hospital following his crash and x-rays subsequently confirmed fractures to both his tibia and fibula in his lower left leg. A Pata Honda statement read: “The 29-year-old British rider is being transferred to hospital in Groningen where a specialist will operate later today to pin Leon’s leg.”