Motorcycling: Tom Sykes moves to top ranking

Tom Sykes took over at the top of the World Superbike Championship standings after winning both races at Imola (Getty)

Tom Sykes took over at the top of the World Superbike Championship standings after winning both races at Imola yesterday. The Briton now sits on 235pts, six clear of Sylvain Guintoli, after his second double win of the season following his success at Donington last month.

Sykes' challenge was helped when Frenchman Guintoli had to retire his Aprilia. The 27-year-old Sykes then led the second race from start to finish to move to the top of the points table for the first time in his career. Sykes' success in race one was his fourth this year and followed a tussle with Althea Aprilia's Davide Giugliano, who lost contact with his rival only in the latter stages.