Huddersfield racer Tom Sykes heads to Sepang eager to satisfy his fans in Malaysia.
The 29-year-old, running second to Kawasaki Racing Team colleague Jonathan Rea in the World Superbike Championship, was bowled over by the reception he received at the Sepang International Circuit last season and is eager to get back.
“Sepang is an absolutely incredible venue, a great Grand Prix circuit and one that I enjoy,” said the 2013 world champion.
“The Tom Sykes and Kawasaki fans are fantastic and they turn up in their numbers, which it is great to see.
“Sepang has a great layout and I enjoy the weather conditions. It is something completely different and quite challenging – but it is nice.”
Last season at Sepang Sykes was second on the grid but had a no score in race one, after a first lap incident caused by another rider.
Sykes rallied to take third place in race two at a circuit he rates as one of the most technical and enjoyable on the calendar.
Sykes has taken three race wins in 2015, part of a total of ten podiums so far, but heads into round ten on 282 points – trailing Rea who is leading on 407 points.
In terms of the coming weekend, in what will be the second time the series has visited Asia in 2015, the hot temperatures and high humidity of a Malaysian summer should add to the challenge of the long 5.548km Sepang International Circuit, located close to the country’s capital city Kuala Lumpur.
The scheduling of the two WorldSBK races, at 1.30 and 4.30pm local time on Sunday, could also have an affect on the track and ambient conditions the riders may face.
“We had a great feeling there last year and I think we can build on that,” said Sykes.
“We are gradually getting a better feeling with the bike this year under the new regulations we have.
“I hope we can continue that momentum from Laguna forward. Sepang is really wide, open and your references are not as clear as they would on most tracks.
“Because you have so much circuit to play with you have a lot of tarmac to use and that is when you get the lap times.
“Sometimes all of that tarmac sucks you in and you feel you need to use it all.
“In some areas you are best of keeping to tight and not using all of the track. It is really quite technical.”
After the completion of the Sepang race weekend a long summer break begins, with the next competitive action at the Spanish round at Jerez on September 20.
