WSB: Sykes admits title hopes are over

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Tom Sykes has admitted defeat in the chase for the 2016 World Superbike title with team-mate Jonathan Rea heading into the final round with an almost-insurmountable 48-point lead.

It would take Rea to non-score in both of this weekend’s races in Qatar with Sykes on the top step of the podium for the Yorkshireman to clinch his second WSB crown, something even he is willing to admit is highly unlikely.

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Instead, Sykes must now turn to the battle for second with form-man Chaz Davies sneaking up on him for the runner-up spot. Having taken five wins out of the last six races, Davies sits just 19 points adrift of his Kawasaki rival ahead of this weekend’s season finale.

“With 48 points deficit I think we are done now,” Sykes confessed. “Even if it was 40 points we would be pretty much done. The difference between 40 and 48 is quite irrelevant with only 50 still to play for. I think it’s quite good that we are taking it to the final round, but for me it’s about looking on the positive side and learning from that.”

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