BSB: Tom Sykes returns alongside Josh Brookes at MCE Ducati

Tom Sykes will make a sensational return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this season after joining Paul Bird Motorsport.

The 2013 World Superbike champion will race alongside two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes at the newly named MCE Ducati after reuniting with Paul Bird, who Sykes previously worked with in WSB.

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Sykes left BSB for WSB at the end of the 2008 season after spending two seasons in the premier class of British motorcycle racing. He returned for a wildcard appearance in 2010 at Brands Hatch, taking a double victory with PBM Kawasaki.

Since leaving BSB, Sykes has gone on to become one of the most successful riders in WSB history, becoming world champion with Kawasaki in 2013. In total, Sykes has accumulated 34 wins, 114 podiums and 51 poles in his 349-race WSB career.

“I am very excited and motivated for this great opportunity to race in BSB with PBM,” Sykes said. “In terms of a domestic championship, it certainly doesn’t get any better – the level of competition is obviously high and there is some great talent. To be back with PBM is fantastic, it is a team I been a part of before, both in BSB and in WSBK and one that has all of the pedigree for the task ahead.

“I will also be riding a Ducati for the first time in my career after riding for five other manufacturers in the Superbike category. This alone adds more excitement and motivation to the pot! It will also be interesting to explore the different characteristics of the bike in BSB with the different technical regulations. Finally, to be part of PBM and Ducati in BSB, racing in front of the home crowd makes me really happy.”

Meanwhile, Brookes remains at PBM for a fourth consecutive campaign and will be hoping for a return to form after a difficult 2021 season. The two-time BSB champion struggled with his Ducati for the majority of the year, however late season improvements saw the Aussie make it into the Showdown, finishing sixth overall.

Despite this, Brookes is the most successful rider on the 2022 grid. Brookes has secured a total of 54 race wins so far and will be hopeful of clinching a third crown this year.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Paul for giving me the opportunity to ride for the team again,” Brookes said. “I enjoy racing the Ducati and I am now really eager for the off season to end so that we can get back testing and focus on the opening round of the championship!

“I also want to thank all of the team sponsors, as together we can take on this fight again for the championship.”

The team will make their first appearance as MCE Ducati at the first official test at Snetterton later this month.