Neben den zahlreichen Beiträgen, die er für Kawasaki in der WorldSBK geleistet hat und ebenso eine wichtige Rolle in der Entwicklung des Ninja ZX-10R Rennpakets spielte, wird sich Sykes für 2019 nun neuer Herausforderungen stellen. Die Saison 2018 ist jedoch noch lange nicht zu Ende und Sykes wird weiterhin mit KRT wie auch in der Vergangenheit nach Erfolgen streben. Gemeinsam schafften sie 34 Rennsiegen, 105 Podestplätzen, 46 Superpoles und den WorldSBK Titel 2013.
Tom Sykes: “I feel the time has arrived; the moment to make a change in my career and seek new challenges. Having the motivation to push to your limits and that of your machine is all the more important when you look for the victory at every race and I feel I have given all I can within KRT. I am now the best rider I have ever been, and I have the experience and performance to keep winning. So now I have decided to make a step away from the KRT project for 2019 and look for new goals and challenges. I will now concentrate to finish on the podium for the last four rounds of 2018. I am determined to enjoy my racing and making this announcement effectively ends all speculation. The timing of this big career decision is never easy but it is especially difficult as my personal life also faces big changes. Regarding this I feel the weight of pressure has been slightly lifted from my shoulders and I am sure 2019 will allow me to operate at full capacity”.
Steve Guttridge - KME Racing Manager : "We've got a lot of history and thousands of happy miles with Tom over the years. His efforts both on the track, testing, developing plus within the press and at public occasions with the fans has made a really positive impact on Kawasaki. He is so popular because he always gives 100%. It is sad to lose such a great brand ambassador within KRT but I understand it's time for him to face his new goals and motivations. Whichever direction he moves onwards, we want to help him create his best possible future and that means of course starting again on pole in Portimao as the season resumes!"