Did anyone really have doubts that Tom Sykes wouldn’t be staying with Kawasaki for another season? Obviously not, as it was officially announced today that Skyes will be staying on for another season with KRT, and 2014 will make it his fifth straight year riding the Japanese marque.
Sykes so far has given Kawasaki 17 pole positions, 24 podiums with 10 wins and just lost out winning the 2012 championship by a mere half a point. and for the first time in 20 years. a Kawasaki rider is leading in the standings.
This is the first WSBK contract to have been signed this early in the season, and Sykes could also find himself a new team mate in the future as both Marco Melandri and Nicky Hayden have been linked to replace Loris Baz.
“For me this is an awesome place to be,” said Sykes. I have made my feelings quite clear to Kawasaki and all the individual team members and sponsors. I am really happy in my working environment and very relaxed. I am probably at my best in this kind of scenario so the natural thing is to continue for at least another year in SBK. It is a great championship and when you have all the ingredients in place to be fighting at the front every weekend, even at different circuits, it is what you aim for. We have proved that we can do it and had a couple of double wins already. I have a great feeling riding with Kawasaki, so why change that? I am over the moon to stay in the team and the continuity is great. I could not be happier with the people around me. The deal has been done so early in the season, which is an absolute first.”
Ichiro Yoda, KHI Race Planning Manager: “I feel Tom looks like he is going to be ‘Mr Kawasaki’, because after we had great success with American rider Scott Russell we found it difficult to find a new ‘Mr Kawasaki.’ Now it looks like Tom can be this person. We also want to push him to grow up in racing terms even more than he has already and he now realises himself how he can do this job. After his Imola double race win we feel he has understood his real potential and now it looks like he can develop even more quickly. The bike, the rider and the team have all made great progress together and because of this we are very happy.”
Ichiro Yoda, KHI Race Planning Manager: “I feel Tom looks like he is going to be ‘Mr Kawasaki’, because after we had great success with American rider Scott Russell we found it difficult to find a new ‘Mr Kawasaki.’ Now it looks like Tom can be this person. We also want to push him to grow up in racing terms even more than he has already and he now realises himself how he can do this job. After his Imola double race win we feel he has understood his real potential and now it looks like he can develop even more quickly. The bike, the rider and the team have all made great progress together and because of this we are very happy.”
Guim Roda, Team Manager: “Tom made incredible job last year and this year is still growing up as a racer. We are really curious to see what level he can final arrive at - that’s the main sporting reason we wanted to sign him from our side of things. From a personal point of view we have always found Tom to be a very good team worker, he always has a smile on his face for the Kawasaki supporters and he is a very cooperative rider with the media. He is a good guy who always tries to give his best and really concentrates on his job. I hope this early movement from Kawasaki in re-signing him will give him a calm environment to concentrate on his 2013 season and then work at 105% for 2014 - a season that we expect to be very exciting too. I want to say thanks to Kawasaki for giving us the opportunity to keep Tom in the team for next year.”
Steve Guttridge, KME European Race Planning Manager: “It’s great news that Tom is confirmed to remain with us in the Kawasaki Racing Team for another season! He’s grown into a pure professional and clearly he is the man to challenge for the SBK title with our team and Ninja ZX-10R machine. Both are always developing and improving in every area, every week, in order to reach the common goal, which is to win the FIM Superbike World Championship for Kawasaki. It’s a perfect combination so there was no reason to change it from either side, I believe. This early announcement reassures Tom that his immediate future is clear and so I’m sure it will help him relax and focus on our goals right now and within the rest of the season.”
via Twowheelsblog
