(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Aprilia Racing Team rider Sylvain Guintoli pulled off an incredible feat under the lights of Losail International Circuit here yesterday by winning both the final races of the weekend to emerge as the 2014 eni FIM Superbike World (WSBK) champion.
In the penultimate race, Guintoli pulled away in the final four laps to cross the line ahead of Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) in what was one of the most enthralling races of the season.
Thanks to his fourth win of the year, Guintoli started the final race of the evening just three points adrift of series leader and reigning champion Sykes.
This meant that both riders had everything to rider for going into the final 17 laps of the evening.
"It feels good, an overwhelming feeling. I had a good season," said Guintoli after winning the race.
"Last season I had an injury, it was very painful and it was just a very hard and long season," he said while commenting on his win.
He praised his family for the support which made a world of difference this season.
"This year i could not wait for racing and lucky to have a fantastic family. I spoke about stability, I just had to try and do something special, I took some risks. I did not think I would be so fast, but it came."
Elaborating further he added that he maintained his composure in the second race and the end result was there for everyone to see. "I was relaxed during the races, felt so good. I did not feel so good riding, so it was a great day, (correction) great night.
He said the first race was tougher than the second one.
"Mentally I was more relaxed ahead of the second race. In the first race I made sure I made no mistakes, claw back and stay in it for the second race, to take it on and take the title. I felt confident and worked harder from the start and in the middle i just could not check myself," he added during the post race press conference.
Guintoli started from fifth on the grid while Sykes began from third and the final race started in nail-biting fashion with Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) colliding at turn one.
Sykes was heading the pack but Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) took over the reigns as race leader early in the second lap. Guintoli made his move, passing Sykes in the fourth lap and overtaking Rea in the fifth.
The Frenchman would hold on to his lead for the rest of the race, as he took the first double victory of his career to seal the world title by six points.
Meanwhile, Sykes and Rea continued to battle throughout the race to determine the final spots on the podium with the Honda rider just edging the outgoing champion for second in final three laps.
Five riders fought hard for fourth with Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) coming home ahead of Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) and Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia).
Newly-crowned Superbike EVO winner David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) was once again involved in a titanic fight for the best classified EVO rider coming home ahead of Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) in 11th, Canepa was 12th. Bryan Staring (Iron Brain Grillini Kawasaki) rode well to claim the 3rd EVO placing in a credible 13th overall.
In the final standings Rea finished third, one point ahead of Baz. Four-time and defending Qatari Superbike Champion, Alex Cudlin finished on 18th spot.
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