HUDDERSFIELD’S Tom Sykes insists he won’t be pushing the panic button despite failing to hit his straps during round one of the World Superbike season.

The 24-year-old arrived at the Australian Phillip Island track with high hopes of challenging the top boys following a close-season team switch to link up with the Paul Bird Motorsport team.

But after qualifying 12th Sykes dropped back to end 13th in race one before technical issues saw the ‘Grinner’ have to retire in the second.

Fellow Brit Leon Haslam was the star of the show claiming a 1-2 Down Under, writes Tom Reynolds.

And despite being 42 points behind his British rival Sykes revealed he was never expecting miracles.

“This whole Australian experience has been a good test period for us and I know that we go to Portimao having learned a lot,” said Sykes.

“There is still quite a lot of work to do on the bike and things to keep improving so I was never going to be expecting too much too early or start setting myself big goals.”

Sykes was ninth overall last year.

“There have been a lot of technical changes over the winter so it will take a little time to learn all of those, but I have got some people I know in the team which is great,” added Sykes

“I am really pleased to be riding with the Paul Bird team and I am still feeling really positive about the year ahead.”

All Superbike World Championship races will be broadcast on British Eurosport, with the European rounds also available in High Definition. British Eurosport Sky 410 & Virgin Media 521, Eurosport HD Sky 412.