WorldSBK: Sykes will consider BSB and MotoAmerica, has no concrete plans
Tom Sykes looks set to leave WorldSBK after spending the last 13 years of his career in 🌟tꦗhe championship.
The former 2013 world champion competed in his fi🌜nal races of the season during last weekend’s season finale in Mandalika, which was also his first weekend back since suffering a concussion in Catalunya.
Sykes claimed tenth in the opening race before going on to take P5 the ൩afte🃏rnoon’s wet race two.
But despite that, a move away from WorldSBK looks fairly inevitable for the 36 year-old who h𝐆as confirmed that heading back to BSB or a move to MotoAmerica will be considered.
"There’s no confirmation yet. Still loo꧙king at the moment. In an ideal world I would have continued in the world championship as I’ve been here for 13 years and I have the level to continue," said Sykes.
"B𒊎ut as one door closes another one opౠens and there are other things going on in the world, so I’ll look a little bit further afield yet. I would consider them (BSB and AMA) because my passion is racing motorcycles."
While rumours of Sykes remaining in WorldSBK for 2022 flo⛎ated around the paddock during last weekend’s Mandalika round, it’s unlikely to happen as Sykes would have to take a non factory ride, something he’s never done since being in the series.
As for BSB, Sykes spent two full-time years in the championship which would mean a return to a se🍨ries he knows, and also different types of tracks.
"In those champions🤪hips (BSB and AMA) you mentioned the tracks are a bit more narrow etc, etc, but even when I was world champion and working with my crew chief at the time in Marcel [Duinker]; I was racing at Laguna Seca and said to Marcel I would love to race here (AMA) one day. So that’s a big interest," added Sykes.
"I know BSB. I’ve been there and I know that they run a very well organised championship, a very competitive one as we🔯ll, so if I go there I’ll have a target on my back which might 🌳be a bit of fun as well.
"So, for sure I would consider it because this yea🔯r I turned 36 year-old but I feel 25. I’m enjoying my rac🎃ing."
