Tom Sykes 'out for one more round', Laverty stays for Argentina

Having missed Jerez and Portimao due to the severe concussion in Catalunya, Tom Sykes has now also been ruled out of this weekend's penultimate WorldSBK round in Argentina.

The BMW rider feels his recovery has been 'incredible' but that unspecified 'questions' - related to gathering all the necessary medical paperwork to return to action - have made his attendance at San Juan Villicum impossible.

"It goes without saying that we really hope that Tom can get back soon and finish the season with the team," said team boss Shaun Mir. "It is a shame that he could not make it to Argentina but we fully understand the circumstances regarding being in a fit condition to be able to travel overseas.”

Sykes is now turning his attention to a comeback in November's Indonesian finale, which is also set to be his last race for BMW amid rumours of a possible BSB return in 2022.

“I have many things to say and many people to thank for many reasons and I will do this in the very near future on a personal level to give more detail. But for now I just need to speak on behalf of the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and I want to say that my recovery has been incredible and I am at the position to be ready to go back to my passion that is racing," Sykes said in a team statement.

"Unfortunately given the timing of these back-to-back races and the flyaway in Argentina it just left us going there with a couple of questions, so unfortunately we had to make an early decision which meant we have to be out for one more round.

"It is hard for me because I have missed more races in the last four weeks than I have missed in my 21 years of racing.

"The main thing is we are looking at the return to racing and look to enjoy the last round of the WorldSBK championship. Thanks again to all, it is really appreciated. Tom.”

With Sykes out, Eugene Laverty will continue alongside new BMW race winner Michael van der Mark in Argentina.

Dutchman van der Mark, victorious in the wet Superpole race in Portimao, is now up to sixth in the world championship.

“Personally I enjoy the San Juan track. It has a bit of everything, but there are a lot of tight corners, a lot of combinations and I am looking forward to going there," van der Mark said. "I think the organisation and Dorna did a fantastic job to make it happen. It is a World Championship and it is nice to go overseas and to go to Argentina.

"I think that already at Jerez, we started to make steps with the bike with some different set-up and we did a similar thing in Portimão which worked out really well.

"We were a bit unlucky with the crash in race one and a mechanical problem in race two but it seems that with the change we made on the bike, we can be really more competitive.

"It is always a question mark how it will go on a different track but at least we go there with a lot of confidence and knowing we can try a lot more things with the set-up now.”

Laverty meanwhile is looking to build on a best of ninth place since joining the factory team.

“I really enjoy the Villicum circuit layout and I’ve enjoyed good results here in previous years. We made progress last time out at Portimão finishing in the top 10 in all three races and slowly but surely the bike is beginning to feel more like my bike," said the Irishman.

"We’ll continue working on the chassis set-up to improve braking and turning during Friday practice as we aim to make another step closer towards fighting for that top 6 this weekend.”