WSBK » Sykes: I know people want my ride

sykes is doin alright?? but could do with a couple of podium scraps,hes measured with two yardsticks ? his team mate,and his fellow brits ? if spies was 3rd in a race and he was 5th ?? it would look ok ,but spies is making a good bike, look a lot better,than it is -- secondly his fellow brits have been on the steps a few times? so it would only be reasonable to expect him to fight for the odd podium? but there is a threat to his seat ,from ex gp riders ,and crutchlow ? i cant see yamaha wanting to lose crutchlow ? to another team??,they will have to move him up to wsbk

also ? i thought the wsbk versus the bsb guys was settled at donnington, (wsbk a lot quicker).tell me guys ??are aprilla running four bikes next year,they could be the top team?? they should be getting outta 250s,more resources for s/bike,also ?crutchlow might have impressed other teams ,and might get a good offer other than yamaha

I have heard rumors of a 2nd Aprilia team.

Did we suddenly forget the class of riders that is racing in WSBK this year? IMO he is doing a bang up job. A Rookie, new bike, new tracks and the stresses of the world stage. Spies is an anomolly that is rarely seen and you cannot compare Sykes to him.

Give the kid a chance (and a break). If he cannot perform better next year find someone who will.

The bar has been raised in Wsbk. Racing for fifth place on a factory bike doesn't cut it. It's hard to judge a rider who hasn't challenged for a podium spot but I don't see Tom successfully mixing it up with the top guys. Tom's saving grace will be if Spies leaves and Yamaha has to fill two seats.

If you factor in all seven of the "Factory" teams, and playing with a basis the the factory riders will always finish first, he has 13 other "Factory" riders to beat out, all of them world class riders. Sitting in 7th as a rookie halfway thorugh the season is not as bad as you are making it out to sound.

Yeah, all those Brits on the dominant Yamahas really mixed it up with the front of the pack didn't they?!! Get real people, Sykes is doing fine, although I do agree, a crash trying to push/overtake might actually raise his stock a little.

I'll compare the Donni round with Miller, Hacking did well, so did the wildcard Brits. No one challenged for podium that wasn't supposed to, and not because of any team orders. This year's WSBK crop is high in talent, but also high in development. There are 3 new bikes racing (Apes, Bimmers, and Yamis) along with a POS (Kawi) and two decent rides (Suzi / Honda), and of course the 800 pound gorilla, Ducati.

WSS is running an old model Yamaha. END

In the cutthroat world of professional racing, I'd say Sykes is hanging on to his job by a thread. He needs consistent top 5 finishes to insure a seat with Yamaha next year.
I know it won't happen but I'd love to see Mladin on the 2nd Yamaha. It would be the "Ben & Matt Show" again, on an international level.

I agree with RawDawg & Blitz he is doing a very good job in a very experienced field!
Sykes finished ahead of Camier in the second race at Donningtion? (Granted he had a DNF in race 1).

Tom is on a 2 year contract with Yamaha and provided he shows some sign of getting nearer the front over the rest of the season, which would improve his prospects for next season with a years knowledge gained, his job ought to be safe...personally I don't see him doing anything wrong from the teams point of view but his own expectation is obviously higher.
But Crutchlow is the hot property for next year so unless Yamaha create a 3rd berth, or risk losing him, Tommy's spot is in danger...the 'SS riders can't cut it on SB' doesn't apply in Cal's case as he's already a proven superbike rider, just like Jonny Rea.
Then of course there is Camier lurking in the background....