Kawasaki Racing Team rider Tom Sykes is looking to back up his success in last season’s inaugural World Superbikes Championship meeting in Russia.

The 27-year-old Huddersfield racer made the Moscow Raceway his own last season as he began to close in on 2012 championship leader Max Biaggi.

However, this year Sykes goes into the meeting as championship leader and will be looking to extend his lead over his main rivals.

“Last year Moscow was new for everybody and I consider myself quite good at learning tracks pretty quickly,” said Sykes.

“I have a massive belief in Kawasaki and the team, so I knew we would make a good package for Moscow last year – and we won a race because of it.

“Like myself, almost all my rivals have knowledge of the Russian track now so it will be harder this year, but it is a good circuit to compete at.

“We went down in history as winners of the first ever race there last year, which adds to the enjoyment of going back there.

“Overall it is a tight, twisty and technical track but it does provide for good racing.”

Sykes goes into the eighth round of the competition having gained the championship lead last time out with a ‘double’ at Imola – his second of the season.