It was Tom Sykes who took the lead in to Coppice on the opening lap onboard the Rizla Suzuki, with the HM Plant Honda duo Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam flying in second and third.

However Crutchlow crashed out on the third lap as the pack streamed in to Hall Bends.

Haslam was then in second and closing down the leading Rizla Suzuki rider; he then dived down the inside at Park on lap six to take the lead.

Haslam and Sykes were inseparable as they diced at the front, with Sykes looking for any opportunity to take back the advantage - but it was not enough and he had to settle for second.

l The British Supersport final qualifying session had to be stopped on Sunday because of smoke billowing across the track from a fire in the camping area when an unattended barbeque torched seven tents and damaged a car and a caravan.

l See more from the Superbikes weekend at www.marketrasenmail.co.uk.