Rizla Suzuki and Tom Sykes have targeted Cal Crutchlow's second place in the Bennetts British Superbike standings as the series heads back to England for the latest round at Cadwell Park.
Sykes has been in stellar form of late, winning three of the last four races, to head to Cadwell Park with just eight points to make up on friend and rival Crutchlow for the provisional runner-up spot in the overall standings.
He is well placed to do so too having secured a podium there last season, giving Rizla Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine confidence that they can overhaul the HM Plant rider by the end of the weekend.
“Cadwell Park always produces close and spectacular racing and I'm sure that will be the case this weekend. Tom is on top of his game at the moment and with three wins under his belt he will be going all out for more.
“He is really closing down the points deficit in the Championship chase. The Rizla Suzuki team is working well and would love to leave Cadwell with second place in the Championship under its belt.”
Atsushi Watanabe, meanwhile, has been receiving some rider tuition from countryman Yukio Kagayama in order to get a head start on what is reputed to be one of the hardest – but most thrilling – circuit's on the calendar.
“Atsu has visited Cadwell for a track day and he liked the circuit, however it is a tough track and he has a mountain to climb quite literally this weekend. He was really showing his potential last time out at Knockhill battling for ninth place when he was taken down by another rider. I'd like to see him pick up from where he left off at
Knockhill.”
