WSBK » Injured Sykes ‘regroups’ ahead of season opener

19 February 2013
Tom Sykes takes his time getting back up to speed at Phillip Island after cracking his wrist in an accident last week.
Injured Sykes ‘regroups’ ahead of season opener
Tom Sykes says he has regrouped ahead of the 2013 World Superbike Championship season opener at Phillip Island after maintaining a low profile during pre-season testing at Phillip Island.

The Briton is riding with a wrist and rib injury after a spectacular crash during unofficial testing in Australia last week, an incident that has left the Kawasaki rider playing catch up this week.

As such, Sykes has spent the two days regaining his confidence on the ZX-10R and focusing on race set up, but found time towards the end of the test to produce a lap good enough for fourth quickest overall.

Admitting to riding with some tension after last week's accident, Sykes is nonetheless satisfied with the strides made during testing this week.

“I definitely used my injured arm a lot today because it has been sleeping. My crew chief has been doing a good job of waking it up. I know that the wrist has been knocked about and you can tell there is a crack in it, likewise the ribs are pretty sore, but I have every confidence in Kawasaki and all of the team.

“Big thanks to my crew chief Marcel and my team manager Guim because they made a very important call to make on Thursday after the accident. We have started to regroup now and be where we need to be. There is still work to be done but with six hours track time the boys have done a fantastic job, one that has made my life easier.

“I can get on and ride the bike and I am enjoying it. I had been a little bit tense due to the circuit catching me out a few days ago, but I finished well, with a lot of information. I am fortunate to have some clever people working with me and we have made up for lost ground. We did a lot of laps yesterday and felt OK when I woke up this morning.”

Tagged as: Kawasaki , Phillip Island , Tom Sykes
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Related Pictures

Sykes, Australian WSBK 2012
Sykes` Kawasaki, Australian WSBK 2012
Sykes, Australian WSBK, 2013
Sykes, Australian WSBK, 2013
Melbourne sign, Australian WSBK 2013
Baz and team, Australian WSBK 2013
Leon Camier on the Fixi Crescent Suzuki during testing at Phillip Island
Kawasaki`s Tom Sykes during testing at Jerez

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