Tom Sykes

Tom Sykes (born 19 August 1985 in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England) is a professional motorcycle racer who has competed in World Superbike Championship for ten years. Following his fourth place finish in 2018,[3] Sykes left the Kawasaki factory racing team and will be racing a 2019 for Shaun Muir Racing in 2019.[4]

Tom Sykes
Sykes at Silverstone, World Superbike in 2012
NationalityBritish
Born (1985-08-19) 19 August 1985[1][2]
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England
Current teamBMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
Bike number66
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Superbike World Championship
Active years2008–
ManufacturersSuzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW
Championships1 (2013)
2017 championship position8th (223 pts)
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
248 34 106 50 37 2891.5

In 2007 he gained his first ride in British Superbikes, riding a Stobart Vent-Axia Honda; Sykes finished in sixth position in the championship in his rookie year. Following this success he was signed by the Rizla Suzuki team for the 2008 season; he went on to finish 4th in the championship as well as making wildcard World Superbike appearances at Brands Hatch & Donington Park, where he impressed strongly, helping him gain a World Superbike ride at Yamaha Motor Italia for the 2009 season.[5] For 2010 he raced a PBM Racing Kawasaki in the series. He won his first SBK title in 2013 for Kawasaki.

Career

Early career

Sykes is the grandson of Peter Brooks, who is involved in the manufacture of Kawasaki bikes. Sykes raced in the British Supersport championship from 2003 to 2006, finishing 8th, 5th, 6th, and as runner-up to Cal Crutchlow in 2006.[6]

British Superbike Championship (2007–2008)

2007 was his first season in the British Superbike championship, riding for the Stobart Vent-Axia Honda team alongside 2003 series champion Shane Byrne. He finished 18 of the first 20 rounds, including a pair of 4th places at Snetterton.[7] Second on the grid at Oulton Park,[8] and pole at Donington Park.[9] Sykes took his first two podiums at the Croft Circuit, to move up to 6th in the championship, immediately behind Byrne, and immediately ahead of Leon Camier on another Honda.

Shortly after joining the Rizla Suzuki team for 2008, he was seen testing a Suzuki MotoGP bike.[10] Sykes started the 2008 with a 6th and an 8th at Thruxton (The first races were there as the season opener at Brands Hatch was snowed off). He took pole position at Oulton Park, but crashed at the aborted start of race 1, before finishing 5th on the restart . He led race 2 until being taken out by Leon Haslam, who was excluded for the move. Sykes continued to finish towards the front of the field consistently scoring podiums at Brands Hatch (2nd), Donington Park (3rd) and Snetterton (3rd) all in the first of the 2 races. It was at Oulton Park where he scored his first two victories, taking the lead from James Ellison late in race 1 but leading most of race 2. He followed that up with a third straight win at Knockhill in the first race, and collected podiums for the rest of the championship. Sykes finished 4th in the championship with 316 points, 2 points behind Cal Crutchlow.

Superbike World Championship (2008–present)
Sykes at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, 2012

Sykes made his World Superbike Championship debut at Brands Hatch as a wildcard, impressing by qualifying sixth (ahead of three works Suzukis with more powerful engines, including title contender Max Neukirchner). He retired from a strong position in race 1 due to a hole in the radiator by rocks thrown up by Max Biaggi's Sterilgarda Ducati machine, but came back to finish 6th in race 2. He gained a second wildcard meeting at Donington Park in changeable conditions, where he proved even stronger. He again qualified on the second row, but got a flying start in race one and had a comfortable lead when the race was red-flagged due to oil from Noriyuki Haga's Yamaha. Knowing he had to finish within 4 seconds of Troy Bayliss to win on aggregate, Sykes lead early in race two, before easing off after seeing a white flag with a red cross, which typically means a slippery surface (often with the yellow and red striped oil flag), but racing in British Superbike Championship races, the flag neutralises the race under a full-course caution period with safety car deployment, so Sykes and Leon Haslam both eased up, anticipating neutralisation, but the time lost here proved costly, as Sykes failed to stay close enough to Bayliss, finishing second behind the three-time series champion. He was less competitive in race two, but his reputation had still been boosted.

On 11 September 2008 Sykes signed a contract with the Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike team for the 2009 season, with an option to extend that contract until 2010 depending on results.[5] Sykes had an average year finishing mostly mid-pack, while his team mate Ben Spies was at the front of the field. This led to Yamaha not offering Sykes a second year, instead hiring fellow Brits James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow.

Sykes signed for the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki team for 2010, as had been rumoured,[11] enabling him to stay in the World Superbike class. Sykes said

“It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it. I believe that from what is in place in the team we’re going to be able to do a good job.”

The Kawasaki was relatively uncompetitive in 2010, but Sykes managed a strong fifth place at Monza. He was the team leader for much of the year, with the more experienced Chris Vermeulen struggling following a knee injury sustained at the first round at Phillip Island. Despite speculation as to his future with the team, Sykes flew to Japan to help test the ZX-10R, the bike the team will use for 2011.[12] He made a wildcard appearance with the team in the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.[13]

Sykes at the Phillip Island 2017 Australian World Superbike round

On the final weekend of the 2010 World Superbike Championship season, Sykes confirmed that he had signed a one-year contract with Kawasaki that would see him ride in the 2011 Superbike World Championship season.[14]

Sykes crashed in the chicane at Donington Park shortly after he passed an Aprilia and moved up to 4th place and he was taken out of the race while his teammates managed mid -placings. He finished close to last on race 2, but Lascorz made 6th. On the following race at the Nürburgring however he gained his first victory in Race 2.

In the following season Sykes became runner-up, missing the title only by half a point against Max Biaggi.

Tom Sykes has been crowned the 2013 World Superbike Champion after securing the third-place finish he needed to secure a popular title victory at Jerez, while Eugene Laverty took a dramatic last corner victory over Marco Melandri.

On 21 June 2014, Tom Sykes captured his 21st career Superpole at Italy’s Misano World Circuit for round seven of the series.[15]

Career statistics

All-time statistics
Series Years Races Poles Podiums Wins 2nd place 3rd place Fastest Laps Titles Points
British Superbike Championship 2007–2008, 2010 53 2 18 5 6 7 0 0 656
World Superbike Championship 2009− 234 48 100 33 31 36 36 1 2891.5
Total 287 50 118 38 37 43 36 1 3547.5

British Supersport Championship

Races by year

(key)

Year Class Bike SIL
 BHI
 SNE
 OUL
 MON
 SNE
 BHGP
 KNO
 MAL
 CRO
 CAD
 OUL
 DON
 Pos Pts Ref
2004 BSS Suzuki 10 Ret 7 14 4 10 Ret 5 9 4 2 2 3 5th 123 [16]
Year Class Biks BHI
 THR
 MAL
 OUL
 MON
 CRO
 KNO
 SNE
 SIL
 CAD
 OUL
 DON
 BHGP
 Pos Pts Ref
2005 BSS Suzuki Ret 9 2 1 1 4 3 Ret 4 5th 119 [17]
Year Class Bike BHI
 DON
 THR
 OUL
 MON
 MAL
 SNE
 KNO
 OUL
 CRO
 CAD
 SIL
 BHGP
 Pos Pts Ref
2006 BSS Suzuki 9 5 6 3 C 3 3 Ret 2 2 2 2 3 2nd 172 [18]

British Superbike Championship

Races by year

(key)

Year Class Bike BHGP
 THR
 SIL
 OUL
 SNE
 MOP
 KNO
 OUL
 MAL
 CRO
 CAD
 DON
 BHI
 Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2007 BSB Honda 7 5 5 7 7 6 5 6 4 4 Ret 7 6 4 Ret 6 6 4 3 3 3 5 2 2 Ret 7 6th 279
Year Class Bike THR
OUL
BHGP
DON
SNE
MAL
OUL
KNO
CAD
CRO
SIL
BHI
Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2008 BSB Suzuki 6 8 5 Ret 2 Ret 3 6 3 7 4 4 1 1 1 4 2 2 3 2 DSQ 3 6 Ret 4th 316 [19]
Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos Pts Ref
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R3
2010 Kawasaki BHI BHI THR THR OUL OUL CAD CAD MAL MAL KNO KNO SNE SNE SNE BHGP
5		 BHGP
1		 BHGP
1		 CAD CAD CRO CRO SIL SIL OUL OUL OUL 16th 61 [20]

Superbike World Championship

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos Pts
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2008 Suzuki QAT QAT AUS AUS ESP ESP NED NED ITA ITA USA USA GER GER SMR SMR CZE CZE GBR
Ret		 GBR
7		 EUR
2		 EUR
10		 ITA ITA FRA FRA POR POR 21st 35
2009 Yamaha AUS
10		 AUS
10		 QAT
7		 QAT
5		 SPA
7		 SPA
10		 NED
4		 NED
6		 ITA
6		 ITA
6		 RSA
10		 RSA
9		 USA
13		 USA
9		 SMR
8		 SMR
7		 GBR
Ret		 GBR
5		 CZE
Ret		 CZE
7		 GER
9		 GER
8		 ITA
9		 ITA
12		 FRA
Ret		 FRA
Ret		 POR
DNS		 POR
DNS		 9th 176
2010 Kawasaki AUS
13		 AUS
Ret		 POR
15		 POR
13		 SPA
11		 SPA
15		 NED
12		 NED
Ret		 ITA
9		 ITA
5		 RSA
16		 RSA
14		 USA
13		 USA
14		 SMR
15		 SMR
16		 CZE
11		 CZE
Ret		 GBR
18		 GBR
14		 GER
5		 GER
7		 ITA
6		 ITA
4		 FRA
7		 FRA
11		 14th 106
2011 AUS
8		 AUS
9		 EUR
Ret		 EUR
12		 NED
14		 NED
11		 ITA
13		 ITA
11		 USA
6		 USA
10		 SMR
4		 SMR
14		 SPA
5		 SPA
Ret		 CZE
10		 CZE
14		 GBR
DNS		 GBR
DNS		 GER
11		 GER
1		 ITA
4		 ITA
Ret		 FRA
8		 FRA
Ret		 POR
10		 POR
Ret		 13th 141
2012 AUS
4		 AUS
3		 ITA
2		 ITA
2		 NED
Ret		 NED
6		 ITA
C		 ITA
1		 EUR
3		 EUR
3		 USA
8		 USA
5		 SMR
4		 SMR
7		 SPA
Ret		 SPA
8		 CZE
2		 CZE
2		 GBR
8		 GBR
12		 RUS
1		 RUS
2		 GER
4		 GER
5		 POR
1		 POR
Ret		 FRA
3		 FRA
1		 2nd 357.5
2013 AUS
5		 AUS
5		 SPA
Ret		 SPA
3		 NED
1		 NED
2		 ITA
2		 ITA
3		 GBR
1		 GBR
1		 POR
3		 POR
NC		 ITA
1		 ITA
1		 RUS
Ret		 RUS
C		 GBR
11		 GBR
7		 GER
1		 GER
4		 TUR
3		 TUR
2		 USA
1		 USA
4		 FRA
1		 FRA
1		 SPA
3		 SPA
2		 1st 447
2014 AUS
7		 AUS
3		 SPA
1		 SPA
1		 NED
2		 NED
4		 ITA
3		 ITA
5		 GBR
1		 GBR
1		 MAL
Ret		 MAL
3		 SMR
1		 SMR
1		 POR
1		 POR
8		 USA
3		 USA
1		 SPA
5		 SPA
3		 FRA
4		 FRA
4		 QAT
3		 QAT
3		 2nd 410
2015 AUS
6		 AUS
4		 THA
3		 THA
5		 SPA
3		 SPA
Ret		 NED
5		 NED
5		 ITA
2		 ITA
2		 GBR
1		 GBR
1		 POR
2		 POR
8		 SMR
1		 SMR
5		 USA
2		 USA
2		 MAL
5		 MAL
14		 SPA
1		 SPA
5		 FRA
2		 FRA
3		 QAT
3		 QAT
3		 3rd 399
2016 AUS
5		 AUS
6		 THA
2		 THA
1		 SPA
3		 SPA
2		 NED
Ret		 NED
2		 ITA
3		 ITA
3		 MAL
1		 MAL
8		 GBR
1		 GBR
1		 ITA
2		 ITA
2		 USA
2		 USA
1		 GER
2		 GER
12		 FRA
3		 FRA
3		 SPA
2		 SPA
3		 QAT
4		 QAT
2		 2nd 447
2017 AUS
3		 AUS
6		 THA
3		 THA
2		 ARA
3		 ARA
4		 NED
2		 NED
2		 ITA
4		 ITA
3		 GBR
1		 GBR
2		 ITA
1		 ITA
3		 USA
3		 USA
2		 GER
3		 GER
4		 POR
DNS		 POR
DNS		 FRA
3		 FRA
7		 SPA
3		 SPA
5		 QAT
6		 QAT
Ret		 3rd 373
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References
  1. Kawasaki Racing Team riders Provec Racing/Kawasaki Racing Team. Retrieved 30 October 2018
  2. Provec Racing/Kawasaki Racing Team Retrieved 30 October 2018
  3. "WorldSBK". www.worldsbk.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  4. "Factory-Backed BMW Team With Tom Sykes Ready for 2019 WSBK – SuperbikePlanet". SuperbikePlanet. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  5. http://londonbikers.com/news/9842/tom-sykes-steps-up-to-world-superbikes-with-yamaha-for-2009
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Inside Bikes - Carole Nash Insurance Blog and Latest News". Carole Nash. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  8. http://londonbikers.com/news/4062/tom-sykes-rocks-to-front-row-start
  9. "News - Bikesport News". www.bikesportnews.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  10. "Q&A: Tom Sykes - EXCLUSIVE". Crash. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  11. "Sykes signs for Kawasaki World Superbike team". Motorcycle News. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  12. "Sykes tests new Kawasaki ZX-10R". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  13. "Rutter dominates for Brands Hatch pole". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  14. "Sykes pens Kawasaki deal". Insidebikes. Carole Nash. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  15. "Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes Captures Tissot Superpole at Misano World Circuit". Archived from the original on 24 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Racing/wsb/rider_team/sykes.jsp# Archived 5 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. http://www.suzuki-racing.com/2008%20Archive/news_page.aspx?OBJ_ID=14640%5B%5D
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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