Huddersfield racers Tom Sykes and Kyle Smith head for Imola both looking to make up ground in round five of the World Superbike series.

Both currently lie fourth in their respective standings with 2013 champion Sykes on 88 points in the World Superbikes rankings, while Smith is on 45 points in the World Supersport.

For Kawasaki Racing Team rider Sykes the prospect of heading to Imola this weekend brings back memories of recent race success at the Italian parkland venue.

Sykes took his 2013 spec Ninja ZX-10R to a double win at Imola in the year he won the championship.

However, for the 29-year-old, well versed in the ways of the previous spec of WSB Ninja ZX-10R, the recent change in the technical regulations has made the 2015 early season more challenging than in most recent years.

Showing his typical grit and determination Sykes has scored two podiums already this season and bounced back from a crash at Motorland Aragon that was not of his own making.

“I do not look at Imola any differently from any other circuit just because we have had some success there in the past,” said Sykes, who has 22 career race wins in World Superbikes.

“But for whatever reason we have had some good results there, even on the previous model of Ninja ZX-10R.

“I have two main limitations on the bike right now but when we cross those bridges I feel confident that I will be back to myself.

“And back to where we have been in the past three years, which is challenging and at the sharp end of the timing sheets.

“I am going to Imola like always, expecting to be fighting. I just want a package that lets me challenge the other guys at the end of the race.

“We have not had that yet but it is something we have had in the past and I do believe we are knocking on the door now, gradually getting that balance right for me now.

“I am hoping that this weekend, in front of a really fantastic and enthusiastic Italian crowd, we can hit the nail on the head. That is what I am gunning for.”

Imola begins a run of four European-based meetings with the British round at Donington on May 24, then Portimao June 7 and Misano on June 21.

World Superbikes

1 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) 190

2 Leon Haslam (Aprilia) 140

3 Chaz Davies(Ducati) 123

4 Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 88

5 Jordi Torres (Aprilia) 83

World Supersport

1 Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 80

2 PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki) 55

3 Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta) 45

4 Kyle Smith (Pata Honda) 45

5 Lorenozo Zanetti (MV Agusta) 41

There was little luck for Tom Tunstall and Joe Irving at Oulton Park in round three of the British Superbikes Championship.

Both failed to finish as lap 11 proved crucial for both riders on the Cheshire track.

Tunstall went out on lap 11 of the Superstock 1000 race on his Doodson Motorsport Kawasaki after a crash left him nursing injuries that may need surgery.

“It was not the result we were looking for,” said Tunstall.

“I have broken my foot, heal and fibia, but it is not the end of the world and it reminded once again how well we are looked after by the medical teams.”

Irving’s challenge on the Stauff Connect Academy Kawasaki in the Superstock 600 race ended on the same lap.