Tom Sykes will lead a trio of British riders in assuming wild-card rides for the Brands Hatch round of the World Superbike Championship next month.
The Rizla Suzuki rider will be joined by Simon Andrews on the Lloyds Jentin Racing Yamaha, as well as Eugene Laverty, who will compete on a Vent Axia VK Honda.
Sykes has been one of the year's star riders in the British Superbike Championship, the 22-year-old scoring three podiums so far this year, as well as a pole position last time out at
Mallory Park.
Now Sykes has the chance to measure himself against the likes of
Troy Bayliss and Max Neukirchner, where he is hoping he can match the feat of BSB rival Shane Byrne in 2003 by winning as a wild-card.
“I can't wait to represent the Brits at the WSB round at Brands Hatch,” he said. “Everyone knows that round is one of the biggest on the calendar and I want to give it my best shot at winning it for the home fans.
“‘Shakey' did it here a few years ago so it is possible, I just hope the fans get right behind me as that makes all the difference. I am really excited about the prospect of racing against the likes of Troy Bayliss and
Noriyuki Haga.”
Joining Sykes on the grid will be Andrews, who is hoping to take the opportunity to learn from fellow Yamaha riders
Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga.
“I am really excited about the WSB round at
Brands Hatch. I am going to go out, do my best and see what the other Yamahas are doing. I want to absorb their knowledge. I know Troy Corser and I want to get some tips from him and Nori (Haga) so that going forward I can use what I learn when I am back racing in BSB.”
Laverty, meanwhile, will be back on a Superbike after struggling on uncompetitive machinery in the
MotoGP 250cc class.
