Sykes re-signs with Kawasaki in WSBK

The 30-year-old had reportedly been considering a switch to Ducati for 2017, but confirmed today he'd remain on the green machines.

 

Since his first ride on a WSBK Kawasaki with Paul Bird Motorsport in 2010, the ZX-10R has been kind to Sykes, delivering all 30 of his race wins (to date), as well as the 2013 championship with KRT and all bar one of his 76 career WSBK podiums.

 

"I am really excited to have made a further commitment with KRT and KHI," Sykes said of the new deal. "It's a great feeling to be back with such a great team for another two years.

 

"I have been part of the Kawasaki family for seven years, so it was really natural to continue that relationship.

 

"To carry on working with my dedicated crew - Marcel, Danilo, Mattia, Raul, Tambu and Ruben and all my other valued colleagues and friends in the team - was priceless, as they are widely recognised as the pick of the crop in the WorldSBK paddock.

 

"Another important thing is to continue the development programme, for the road bike and the race bike side of things, which is something I feel an integral part of."

In May, Sykes's KRT team mate, Jonathan Rea, also re-signed with Kawasaki for another two years.

 

Following the Misano round, where he scored a pair of runner-up finishes, Sykes sits second in the WSBK championship on 277 points, 66 behind Rea on 343 points.