SYKES SIGNS FOR RIZLA SUZUKI
Top British Superbike rookie Tom Sykes has joined the ranks
of the Rizla Suzuki Superbike team along side his new team-mate,
two-time Japanese Champion Atsushi Watanabe.
The 22-year-old from Huddersfield had an impressive rookie
season in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, riding
to sixth place overall. He was runner up in 2006 in the British
Supersport Championship and graduated to the Superbike class
with a calm and calculated approach which saw him make steady
progress through the season. In his first year in the premier
class, Sykes claimed six front row starts, one pole position
and five podium finishes.
"I am very much looking forward to riding for the factory
Suzuki team," smiled Sykes. "The team has a full
season of development behind it and the GSX-R 1000 has big
potential. I'm hoping for a good season and we should hit
the ground running at the first round at Brands Hatch. The
winter testing schedule will prepare us nicely for the challenge
ahead."
Having competed on a Suzuki back in his Supersport days,
Sykes is thrilled to be returning to the fold. He said: "It
is great to come back to Suzuki, they are a great manufacturer
and will be putting more input into racing which is good news
for the championship and for myself."
Looking ahead Sykes has his own personal goal. "My aim
is simple - through the 2007 season I was consistent with
picking up podium finishes and I want to carry that on,"
he explained. "I need to win races and finish consistently
on the podium."
Team Manager Jack Valentine echoed Sykes sentiments as he
welcomed him to the team. "Tom had a fantastic season
and I'm very pleased with how it went for him and how he adapted
to the Superbike," said Valentine. "He didn't rush
into it, he just chipped away at his results and towards the
end of the season he was consistently on the podium. He is
a thinking rider and has a big future ahead of him with Rizla
Suzuki."
Both Rizla Suzuki's racers will be attending the International
Motorcycle Show at the NEC when it opens to the public on
November 23rd.
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