Number 66 beat a steady route to the 2013 World Superbikes Championship title – in the end!
While Tom Sykes’ season ended up looking all-conquering, there was a less than reassuring start to the season which many pundits felt would end with the 28-year-old from Fenay Bridge lifting his first world title – indeed first title of any sort.
A tumble ahead of the season’s opening meeting at Australia’s Philip Island circuit left Sykes nursing broken ribs and a fractured wrist.
However, he pulled together enough points from that first round to lie fourth in the early rankings.
It wasn't until round four though that Sykes would force his way into the top three in the championship as his injuries continued to hamper him in rounds two and three at Aragon and Assen, respectively.
But it was his ‘home’ round in the fifth meeting that put Sykes on track for the championship title.
Donington Park proved to be the turning point as Sykes showed he was back to full fitness and ready to take control.
Donington brought his first double of the season.
It was a feat that he was to repeat again two rounds later at Imola and then – most decisively – in the penultimate round at Magny-Cours where he was masterful in leading from first until last in both races at the French track.
The season in the end brought him a tidy collection of Tissot watches as he took superpole at eight of the meetings – bringing his career tally up to an impressive 19.
He also registered nine wins, the same as his closest challenger Eugene Laverty, but Sykes showed the greater consistency and notched 18 podium places through the campaign.
Read more about Tom Sykes' season here
