WorldSBK: BMW: Sykes' departure ‘a great loss; most improved team thanks to him’

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team Principal, Shaun Muir, believes losing Tom Sykes is a ‘great loss’ to the German manufacturer, while the 2013 champion could be set for a move to Pedercini Kawasaki.
Tom Sykes, Catalunya WorldSBK, 17 September 2021
Tom Sykes, Catalunya WorldSBK, 17 September 2021
© Gold and Goose

Despite landing a major coup with the signing of Scott Redding, Shaun Muir is disappointed to see 2013 WorldSBK champion Tom Sykes leave the German manufacturer for this 𝓀season.&nb♎sp;

It was confirmed last August that Redding would join BMW and therefore replace Sykes, however, the team remained in talks with Sykes regarding a🔯 move to the Satellite Bonovo BMW team.

Sykes, who missed Jerez, Portimao and San Juan due to concussion, was in contention to fight team-mate Michael Van Der Mark for sixth in the cꦫhampionship at the time of hi🎐s Catalunya accident. 

But with Loris Baz impressing on his WorldSBK return with GoEleven Ducati - claimed t🦩wo podium finishes in just five races - and Eugene Laverty still in the fold, the German manufacturer decid𝓀ed to go forward with the French and Irish riders, leaving Sykes without a ride for 2022. 

Despite not retaining Sykes, Muir feels it’s a ‘great loss’ to the team 💞as the Brit had been with them since returning to the series as a full factory outfit in 2019. 

“Managing this team and managing a rider of Tom's calibre has been fantastic for me,” 🐷Muir told the official World Superbike website. “I think it's a great loss to us and to BMW that he's, you know, he's moved on and𒉰 from my side of it, it's a big thank you to him on a personal level as well. 

“He's just been so good for the project. I honestly don't think we probably could have got to where we've ꧟got to as quick. 

“If you look at the results, he turned around in the first season… we were probably the most improved team 🉐of the year in 2019 and all that thanks goes to Tom for 💛that.”

While Sykes is still assessing his options for the 2022 season which include BSB and MotoAmerica, he’s also in contention to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:remain in WorldSBK 🌠with﷽ Pedercini Kawasaki.

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