HUDDERSFIELD racer Tom Sykes is having to deal with more attention as the World Superbikes 2013 Championship clicks into gear.

The 27-year-old, who was beaten to last year’s title by half a point by Max Biaggi, is understandably among the favourites for the this year’s title.

The Kawasaki Team Racing rider started the season with two fifth place finishes and overall fourth spot in the fledgling championship after the opening round at Australia’s Phillip Island – a track which Sykes does not favour.

But his success has brought a rider, who gets his head down to get the work done in the garage and on track, increased attention at KRT’s fan meetings with Sykes having reached a kind of folk-hero status to many SBK fans all over the world in the way he rode so well to almost become champion last year.

“I feel that it is great to be acknowledged and that people are getting behind Kawasaki and me now,” said Sykes, who is preparing for the next World Superbike round at Motorland Aragon in Spain on April14.

“I have had some difficult years before and maybe last year caught some people by surprise.

“It was a big step up and certainly there are more people looking at us this year to deliver. We will quietly work away and see what we can make happen.

“We did a lot of good work between testing and racing last year and I’ve stuck at the job and the team and we have put the bike in the frame at the top level.”