Tom Sykes has written himself into the record books as one of Britain’s greatest modern riders.
His win in Jerez made it eight British wins in the World Superbikes Championship since the competition’s inception in 1988.
Those wins have now been shared between four riders as Sykes now rubs shoulders with Blackburn legend Carl Fogarty, collecting the crown four times in 1994 and 1995 with the Ferrari Ducati team before returning to win again in 1997 and 1998 for Ducati Performance.
In 2003 Burnley rider Neil Hodgson added to the East Lancashire tally, winning for Ducati FILA, and Sheffield’s James Toseland won in 2004 and 2007 for firstly Alstare Suzuki and then Ten Kate Honda.
Sykes was a first winner for Kawasaki for 20 years, since American Scott Russell won on the Team Muzzy Kawasaki – however Kawasaki lost out to Aprilia in the race for the 2013 manufacturers title.
Former champion Hodgson, now working as a commentator and pundit for Eurosport, was delighted to welcome Sykes into the British winners enclosure.
“The first race yesterday must have seemed like the longest ride of his life as he just tried to keep away from any trouble,” said Hodgson.
“But Tom kept things very tidy, he looked smooth and never got ragged at all.
“And the world changes now because once you are on that list it is written into history and you are there as world champion forever.
“Everything he has done he has earned – it has all been down to hard work.
“He is a great guy and out on the track he is like a machine and I am so pleased for him.
“Talent, guts, grit, determination – Tom has it all, nothing was going to stop him this year.
“He has been incredible, he has used his head when he has had to and thought his way through the season, and I can’t see anyone beating him next year.”
As yet it is unclear whether his nearest challenger this year Eugene Laverty – who ended the season with a double win at Jerez – will be around to test that theory as he is parting company with Aprilia, but he graciously accepted finishing second to Sykes in the championship.
“It was nice to finish the season with a double win and we would have liked to have given Tom something more to think about if we could have done.
“Congratulations to Tom on the championship. Tom and Kawasaki moved the goalposts very far this year.
“They did a fantastic job and congratulations to them.”
The long-time leader of the championship, Aprilia’s other team rider Sylvain Guintoli, who ended the season third in the rankings, added: “I wanted to fight all the way for the title, but let’s hope everyone is back again for next season.”
Tom Sykes: the ‘Grinner’ is the winner as Huddersfield racer becomes world champion
