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Tom Sykes returned to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock at Donington Park during the Prosecco DOC UK Round, the 2013 Champion was able to take in the action from a stunning weekend. The 2013 Champion was also on hand to discuss several topics from a potential return to WorldSBK to the 2022 title battle that continues to rage on between the titanic trio.

Sykes last competed in WorldSBK in 2021 and finished 11^th in the Championship standings after a season disrupted by injury, though he was able to take two podiums for BMW with both coming at Donington Park. Sykes took the 2013 Championship when he was at Kawasaki and in his career claimed 114 podiums and 34 wins in his 349 races, as well as a WorldSBK-record 51 pole positions.

Discussing a potential return to WorldSBK, Sykes said: “I would say in this life anything is possible. Of course, you’ve got to evaluate the situation and possibilities and see what’s there for the future. For now, I’m just enjoying the weekend. I have to say it’s nice to be here. A lot of people have come to see me and vice versa. It’s a great atmosphere. Who knows what the future holds? I wouldn’t say it’s early days because we’re already in July and we all know when the business part of the situation is done. Time is not necessarily on the side for that time frame because we’re already looking to get into August and the summer break. Like I said, anything is possible. In that sense, it’s certainly not closed because there’s still hunger and desire there.”

Sykes also spoke about the incredible title fight in 2022 between Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK). The Championship battle took more twists at Donington Park with reigning Champion Razgatlioglu taking his first hat-trick and Bautista crashing out of Race 1.

Commenting on the battle, Sykes said: “I think they’re all worthy, certainly the top three with how they’re riding consistently and the speed and commitment. They all deserve the Championship. Obviously, with Alvaro, it would be nice to see him have success after the disappointing end to 2019. I think at this moment I wouldn’t want to call it. I think any one of these three riders, even though there’s still a little bit of a points deficit with Toprak, I think he’s got some circuits coming up that’ll work in his favour. I’m not a gambling man, I’m not betting, but I do think Toprak will get stronger as the season goes on. That’s all I say.”

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