Sykes holds off Checa as Melandri falls
Full wet conditions arrived on Sunday morning at Portimao and they were to play a part in the race being halted because of an oil spill after a crash. A restarted race, over only 16 laps, was won by Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who scored his third win of the 2012 season and drew himself closer to championship leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) as a result. Max was fourth in the opening race after several incidents and changing fortunes as the race unfolded.
Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) looked like he could pass Sykes but was unable to in the final two laps, and settled for second place, while PATA Racing Ducati privateer rider Sylvain Guintoli scored himself another podium finish, in third.
A collision on lap one of the first start saw Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) crash after an attempted pass on Biaggi and he was taken to hospital for scans on a bruised kidney, missing out on the re-start as a result.
