Sykes confirmed alongside Vermeulen in Kawasaki factory team
World Superbike Press Release
The Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team has completed its 2010 season rider line-up by signing Tom Sykes to compete alongside Chris Vermeulen on the officially entered Ninja ZX-10R machines.Sykes finished his first full WSB season last Sunday, in ninth place overall.
The jovial and popular Yorkshireman is a product of the strong UK racing scene and has indeed ridden for Kawasaki World Superbike Racing team principle Paul Bird's BSB team in 2007, with five podium finishes to his credit that year. Tom also has a second place WSB race finish on his CV, when riding as a wildcard at Brands Hatch in 2008.
Said Sykes of his move to Kawasaki in 2010, "I'm very excited to join Kawasaki and the Paul Bird team. I have worked with Paul before and the team is full of very capable people. It is good for me to be still working with a manufacturer and I see a lot of potential in the project. We all want to achieve the same goal. I learned a lot in my first full WSB season and I feel next year I can put that into practice. I am very fortunate to be in the situation I am in now, joining with Kawasaki, and I think 2010 is going to be a very exciting time. I have only spoken to Chris Vermeulen a couple of times but I am sure we will get on great. He seems very laid back and a down-to-earth sort of guy. The good thing for the team and myself is that he is very experienced and will bring a lot to the table. I am sure we can be a good partnership."
