Huddersfield racer Tom Sykes is set to collect a prestigious motorsport award in London next week.

The 28-year-old from Fenay Bridge, who became World Superbikes champion in October last year, is to receive the Torrens Trophy.

The trophy is presented by the Royal Automobile Club and is awarded in memory of former RAC vice-chairman and motorcycle racing journalist Arthur Bourne.

The Torrens Trophy was fist presented in 1978 and hasn’t been awarded since Sheffield’s James Toseland became world champion seven years ago.

Toseland will be present at the event, to be held at the RAC’s Pall Mall Clubhouse, along with racing stars including Huddersfield’s twice British champion James Whitham.

Sykes is fresh from completing testing in Almeria in southern Spain.

It was the first outing in 2014 for the Kawasaki Racing Team pairing of Sykes and rising French star Loris Baz, with both lapping confidently and at pace at the Circuito de Almeria.

During the two-day test the team worked through the new and existing race parts fitted to the Ninja ZX-10R as KRT prepare for the opening round of the 2014 World Superbikes Championship at Australia’s Phillip Island track on February 23.

Sykes set a best lap time of 1 minute 34.0 seconds on race tyres, while Baz posted the same time using a qualifying rear and made 1-34.5 on a race tyre.

“The test went well and the schedule of work we had to get through was completed,” said Sykes, who ran through 33 laps on the first day and then 83 on the second despite suffering with a head and chest cold.

“We have evaluated everything and the Almeria test has all been positive. We did over 80 laps on the final day and I feel we made a step forward.

“I have had a bit of a cold, so I personally have not been feeling 100 per cent, but having said that the Ninja ZX-10R was working very well.

“We were able to make some good lap times and evaluate a few things so we are one step closer in our preparations for Phillip Island.

“We understand things a bit more clearly and now I am looking forward to the next test at Jerez.”

The KRT personnel reconvene in Barcelona for the team launch at the end of January and then take to the track in Spain once more at the Jerez circuit, where Sykes won his title last year, on February 5 and 6.

Reigning British Superbikes champion Alex Lowes made a strong start to life with Voltcom Crescent Suzuki in World Superbikes topping the Portimao pre-season testing timesheets.