Tom Sykes makes BMW WorldSBK return for final round

Tom Sykes has confirmed his return from concussion for this weekend’s final WorldSBK round of 2021 ahead of a likely switch to BSB in 2022.

Sykes sustained concussion during a Superpole race accident involving team-mate Michael Van Der Mark which cost him to miss rounds in Jerez, Portimao and San Juan. 

The 2013 world champion was then replaced by fellow BMW rider Eugene Laverty who will ride full-time for Bonovo BMW next year. 

With his future very much up in the air and every WorldSBK factory seat filled for next year, Sykes is hoping for a good showing in what's likely to be his swansong outing in the world championship.

Sykes said: "I’m very much looking forward to getting back on my BMW M 1000 RR. It has been a long time since I last raced and obviously we have a little bit of work to do to catch up. 

"But having said that, I have to say that the excitement of going to a totally new venue is quite something, not only because Indonesia is a great part of the world. 

"Everybody looks to be doing an incredible job on the new circuit of Mandalika. What a unique venue – to say the least. 

"On top of that, it is located on a beautiful island so I am really looking forward to it. It is new for everybody and I have to say that it is going to be a little bit of a way to finish the season, but that’s another story. 

"In general, it’s a great place to finish the season, and hopefully we can finish it with some strong results to end 2021." 

For team-mate Van Der Mark, the Dutchman is in a rich vein of form after taking a wet Superpole race win in Portimao, before claiming three top six finishes last time out in San Juan. 

Van Der Mark, who will be joined by Scott Redding at BMW after this weekend, is expecting a ‘great weekend’ aboard the M 1000 RR machine.

"It’s fantastic to go to Indonesia. It’s nice to have a new circuit on the calendar, especially in Asia. I love to go there. It’s also incredible that it’s the last round of the season already," added the former Yamaha rider. 

"I cannot wait to try the Mandalika circuit because it looks really nice from what I have seen. 

"Getting to know a new track is not too difficult; it comes with doing the laps. I think that it will be a great season finale. 

"We had some strong weekends this year and obviously that’s the same way we want to finish the season."