WSBK » Official: Sykes to WSBK with Yamaha

Fantastic news!! Tom's a quality rider. How often do you see him out of shape, making mistakes or taking other riders out ? Always pinpoint accurate and super-quick. He deserves the opportunity in WSBK no question. Can't wait for next year now. Always the same when silly-season kicks in. I just hope Shakey doesn't sit and wait too long for GSE before making his move, cos by my reckoning they may well stay in BSB and he'll be left there with them. That said, the cushy set up he has with a gaff in Spain, a gaff in Zurich, family in the UK, inlaws in Europe and a baby soon to arrive, maybe he's happy to stay in BSB with Airwaves and pick up another title or two. Won't be much competition left

Umm - actually staying loyal DOES help. But only if you're Japanese: Okada, Yanagawa, Nakano, Kagayama etc etc all once great riders who've stuck with the same factory...kept on long after they should've been put out to pasture.

GREAT news, should be a good year for Brits in WSB in '09, with Jonny Rea moving up, and hey maybe Crutchlow somewhere?!

And Crutchlow to replace Sofuoglu at Ten Kate?

"We know that there will be much work next season because the new YZF-R1 arrives and it will have to learn the tracks"

I know these bikes are getting more complicated, but the bike can learn the track? that's one less thing for Tom to worry about then

What great news....CONGRATULATIONS Tom. It's fantastic to see such young talent being recognised and being given the opportunity to shine on the World stage.

Good luck and i can't wait to watch Tom in WSB next year.

Ahh this is class, I think after a learning year which he will still do well in he'll be a real front runner!

I think Corser staying at yamaha could play a big part though in how well he'll do in the first year with the new bike.

WSBK next year is going to be fantastic with new riders and new teams coming in!

Well done to Tom Sykes,he deserves this chance.As far as i am concerned,the more British riders on the world stage at any level can only be a good thing.Hoping Cal Crutchlow gets a chance as well.

Before all the doom & gloom merchants come on here saying Sykes is not world level or can't develop a new bike and getting all negative before he's thrown a leg over the yamaha just think what you would do given this opportunity. Merragali, who is just a bit more experienced as a team manager than anyone on this forum obviously thinks there is talent in Tom Sykes. I for one will be supporting him every race next season regardless of results. Genuine british fans should do the same. We all say there's not enough brits at world level, so don't knock them when given the chance with a top team. Afterall it's not Sykes fault yamaha have chosen him.

i think he will be class, look at kiyo it took him time to get going but he's winning now and that just what grinner will be doing next year. Hope shakey, camier and crutchlow join him next year on top bikes.