SBK | Geico US Round: Rea and Sykes looking for redemption

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is preparing to face the eighth round of the season, scheduled for this weekend at Laguna Seca, a track that excites the two Kawasaki riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).

In fact, both have excellent memories of victories and great performances on this track: they therefore hope to have the opportunity to leave behind the second race of the round in Brno where both crashed in the first laps and remained out of the points for the first time since they became teammates in 2015.

The episode also left a tail of controversy due to the fact that Rea's withdrawal occurred following a contact with Sykes himself: however, things calmed down quickly after quite scathing statements immediately after the race.

Rea hopes to win this year after the successes achieved in 2016 and 2017, even if he is aware that competitiveness has increased this season: the reigning champion arrives in Laguna with just six victories, the worst result since It's Kawasaki.

“Laguna Seca is a great event for Superbike and I'm excited to return after Brno, where we were very strong” – he says Jonathan Rhea – “The circuit itself is very demanding and we need to focus on Friday to understand the bike and ensure that we can fight for victories. The first corner is one of the most thrilling of all the circuits and I can't wait to do my first lap already!”

Also Tom Sykes he can't wait to tackle a track that is as evocative as it is challenging, on which he collected three successes in 2013, 2014 and 2016): “In places like turn one you have to be precise to the millimetre. At other curves, including the pinnacle of the Corkscrew, there are some blind entrances. It's a very short and demanding circuit, so you can't relax. You always have to be at your best. The whole trip to the USA is a pleasure and the fans are absolutely fantastic. Laguna Seca is a circuit that releases adrenaline and makes the blood flow through the veins."