For all you Tom Sykes fans out there, who were worried about his fate after a pretty good year with the PBM team and all the development and testing he’s done on the new Ninja, we can officially confirm that Skyes will be staying with the factory team.
Kawasaki will be running a three man squad in World Superbikes in 2011, which is pretty hot news in itself considering that several WSBK teams will be fielding only one rider next season, and besides confirming Sykes and Chris Vermeulen (who has a two year contract) they’ve also confirmed, as we believed they would, Joan Lascorz, who will be moving up from Supersport to their Superbike team.
“It’s great to be staying with Kawasaki as a manufacturer and ride for the Paul Bird team again for 2011.
We have done some good work together this year and exceeded some of our expectations, so it is nice to stay with PBM Kawasaki team in what will be an important year for us all.
The new bike is already showing massive potential in testing and we have a lot of sessions planned through the winter.
Roll on 2011!” said Sykes.
While Chris Vermeulen stated: “I am working hard to get ready for next year.
Kawasaki has been great; they have stood behind me and given me great support.
With three riders Kawasaki is keen to move forward and Tom did a great job on the 2010 bike at the end of the year.
It is all good to see, and I have already had a close look at the new bike.
It looks cool and it certainly seems to be working well already.
It’s exciting and I can’t wait to get on the new bike.
” “It’s my dream to continue my relationship with Kawasaki and now I have the chance to ride in World Superbike, on an exciting new machine.
I am recovering well from the injuries I picked up in Silverstone and I am looking forward to getting on the Superbike as soon as I can.
I want to say thank you to Kawasaki for the help and support and I hope to repay them with good results in my rookie year in WSBK racing.
” said a very satisfied Lascorz.
Skyes is currently testing at the Motorland Aragon circuit along with WSS rider Katsuaki Fujiwara.