Sykes Staying with Kawasaki Through 2016 WSBK Season
Tue, 19 Aug 2014Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes has signed a contract extension with Kawasaki to see him continue to ride for Team Green through the 2016 season.
Sykes, who currently holds a 44-point lead over Aprilia‘s Sylvain Guintoli with three rounds remaining in the season, has been with Kawasaki since 2010. Since hopping on board the Ninja ZX-10R superbike, Sykes has won 22 WSBK races and holds a record for 23 Superpoles in the current qualifying format. In 151 race starts, Sykes has appeared on the podium 46 times and on 21 occasions, recorded the fastest lap of the race.
“I am very excited to re-sign and the decision was quite easy,” says Sykes. “I am looking forward to another two years with a great manufacturer. Kawasaki and I already have quite a good history. This is my fifth year as a rider with the brand, my fourth year with the current model of the Ninja ZX-10R, so for me it was an easy decision to continue.”
The new contract will provide Kawasaki with some stability as it adapts to the series’ new EVO rules which take effect next season. Kawasaki has already gotten a good head start, fielding David Salom on an EVO-spec machine this season. Keeping its star rider under contract for two more seasons will further help Kawasaki handle the new regulations.
“It is very good that Kawasaki and Tom have signed again for 2015 and 2016 as it is a very good point to work towards the new rules coming in 2015, and make another strong season in 2016,” says Guim Roda, Kawasaki Racing Team manager. “Tom knows the bike and team very well and I can guarantee he has still not arrived at the limit of his full potential. This is a very good opportunity to continue with great stability so we can improve the package and be even stronger next year.”
[Source: Kawasaki]
By Dennis Chung
See also: Kawasaki Announces New Protection Plans, Kawasaki Donates Motorcycle In Support Of Ocean Conservation, Kawasaki World Debut At AIMExpo.