WSBK – WSBK: Tom Sykes stays two more years at Kawasaki – KAWASAKI Occasions

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WSBK: Tom Sykes stays two more years at Kawasaki

WSBK - WSBK: Tom Sykes stays two more years at Kawasaki - KAWASAKI Occasions

On course to keep his World Superbike crown this year, Tom Sykes celebrated his twenty-ninth birthday yesterday by extending his contract with the official Kawasaki team by two years. Never change a winning team !

Tom Sykes is a particularly ver (t) ni man: leading the 2014 provisional ranking, the – and, for half a point! – celebrated its 29th birthday yesterday and occasionally received many messages. The "Number One" therefore wanted to send one in turn, via Twitter…

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for the good wishes sent on my birthday…", jubilated the English Ninja,"and to top it off … I am staying two more years with Kawasaki. That’s what I call a good day! For the trouble, I take a second piece of cake !"

Everything is rolling for the driver from Huddersfield (Yorkshire, GB) who, in addition to keeping his number one plate in the SBK category this year, could well bring – with the support of his current teammate, Loris Baz! – his first "constructor" title at the Akashi firm.

Official Kawa pilot ‘, "Tom has become "Mr. Kawasaki" in the eyes, not only of his fans, but also of the Kawasaki family and the world at large.", approve the Greens, specifying that"Sykes won his 22 victories with Kawasaki".

Twenty-two successes – including seven this year, so far! – which earned him ninth place in the ranking of the most victorious drivers in the history of the WSBK, ahead of Max Biaggi (21 wins) and just behind Raymond Roche (23), Carlos Checa (24) and Doug Polen (27).

By resuming with Kawasaki for the next two seasons, the Briton could well integrate the "Top Five" made up of Carl Fogarty (59 wins and four titles), Troy Bayliss (52 wins, three titles), Noriyuki Haga (43 wins. . but no title!), Troy Corser (33 wins, two titles) and Colin Edwards (31 wins, two titles)…

Even before stacking up the successes in the race, the former n ° 66 had carved out a solid reputation in qualifying: "he is the most successful driver of the modern Superpole era, with 23 first places on the grid, always on Ninja ZX-10R", welcomes Kawasaki.

In terms of pole position – whatever the qualifying format this time – "Major Tom" is already in third place on the "charts". Troy Bayliss and his 26 poles can be worried about his second place … Troy Corser and his 43 best lap times will however be harder to dislodge!

But the first challenge that awaits Tom Sykes is that of 2015, with … "It’s good that Kawasaki and Tom signed again for 2015 and 2016", says Guim Roda, manager of the Kawasaki Racing Team..

"It’s a good point to work now on the new rules coming in 2015, and to have another good season in 2016. Tom knows the bike and the team very well, and I can guarantee you he doesn’t. still has not reached the limits of its potential", warns the KRT boss !

Close to the official machine of David Salom which currently occupies the head of the Evo category ("Stock" engine, "Superbike" chassis), the 2015 Ninja is currently shaping up to be the machine to beat: "the show will continue !", promises Senor Roda (read)

"This is my fifth year as a Kawasaki rider", Mister Sykes says,"my fourth year on the current model of the Ninja ZX-10R, so deciding to continue was very easy for me ", he assures.

"I got so invested in this bike that I wouldn’t want to give my baby to someone else !", explains Tom."We had been in discussion for some time", he admits,"but we have been so successful over the past few years and continuing our relationship will give us the opportunity to continue this story".

As – likely – two-time WSBK champion, Sykes could have tried his luck elsewhere … "I sat at home and listed the pros and cons, like you do with a lot of things in life, and the list of pros for re-signing was almost endless.". Of which act.

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