TomSykes

Heading into his 14^th full season in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Tom Sykes returns to the Championship after a year in the British championship. The 2013 Champion returns to WorldSBK and Kawasaki machinery in 2023, linking up with the Independent Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team.

Sykes began his career in the British Supersport Championship, where he missed out on the title to Cal Crutchlow in 2006. Two years in the Superbike class would follow, with multiple podiums and wins, as well as a stunning wildcard appearance in 2008 in WorldSBK (second in Donington Park, Race 1).

Moving to WorldSBK full-time in 2009, Sykes partnered Ben Spies in his title-winning season. The Englishman then moved to Kawasaki, the manufacturer which he would call his home for a full nine seasons. Missing out on the WorldSBK championship by half a point in 2012, he was finally able to secure the world title with the Provec squad in 2013. Several years more of consistent race wins would follow, although with no more gold to his name.

Sykes finally switched bikes in 2019, moving to the new factory BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team. By mid-season, the Yorkshireman and Shaun Muir Racing were consistently challenging for podiums. Sykes holds the record of pole positions in WorldSBK, with 51 to his name, and, with Pirelli’s SCQ tyre to use for the first time, could Sykes add to that on his return?