As most of you are probably aware, Sykes did the double at the Brands GP triple header by taking both dry wins on Saturday and Sunday.
I've never been a big fan of Sykes, but I'm happy to say that the guy has earned my respect, but not for the reason you might think.
To be honest, the cheerleading of Tom Sykes in 2009 by the British press was kind of annoying b/c Ben Spies was really the only reason to talk about Sterilgarda Yamaha, and at the time, Tom was probably the weakest of the BSB riders to move into WSBK competition. His two wins at Brands have changed all of that not b/c he demonstrated that he can ride at Brands Hatch, but b/c his wins afforded him a privilege he's not had for quite some time--a microphone and the opportunity to speak for himself rather than respond to a lead-in question from a journalist.
His two post race interviews made it clear to me that Tom is a grinder with a Nicky Hayden style work ethic. It makes sense that he would have failed to impress at Yamaha Italia since the team is well sorted, well-funded, and has generally employed at least 1 prodigiously-talented SBK star. It also makes sense then that he is probably the only man for the job at Paul Bird Kawasaki alongside Vermeulen, the same way that Hayden was the only person who was going to get the RC212V pneumatic engine developed.
If Sykes doesn't have a job at Paul Bird Kawasaki next year, it will be a travesty. Kawasaki cannot afford to let a rider of his talent and work ethic walk away b/c every yard Kawasaki earn is hard yard. If Kawasaki are honest with themselves, they need someone like Sykes.
I've never been a big fan of Sykes, but I'm happy to say that the guy has earned my respect, but not for the reason you might think.
To be honest, the cheerleading of Tom Sykes in 2009 by the British press was kind of annoying b/c Ben Spies was really the only reason to talk about Sterilgarda Yamaha, and at the time, Tom was probably the weakest of the BSB riders to move into WSBK competition. His two wins at Brands have changed all of that not b/c he demonstrated that he can ride at Brands Hatch, but b/c his wins afforded him a privilege he's not had for quite some time--a microphone and the opportunity to speak for himself rather than respond to a lead-in question from a journalist.
His two post race interviews made it clear to me that Tom is a grinder with a Nicky Hayden style work ethic. It makes sense that he would have failed to impress at Yamaha Italia since the team is well sorted, well-funded, and has generally employed at least 1 prodigiously-talented SBK star. It also makes sense then that he is probably the only man for the job at Paul Bird Kawasaki alongside Vermeulen, the same way that Hayden was the only person who was going to get the RC212V pneumatic engine developed.
If Sykes doesn't have a job at Paul Bird Kawasaki next year, it will be a travesty. Kawasaki cannot afford to let a rider of his talent and work ethic walk away b/c every yard Kawasaki earn is hard yard. If Kawasaki are honest with themselves, they need someone like Sykes.
