The annual pilgrimage to the spiritual home of WorldSBK racing in the United States is always a highpoint for the entire grid and this year it is all to play for in the official Kawasaki Racing Team, with Rea leading the championship and Sykes in overall second place. So far in 2017 Jonathan has recorded eight individual race wins and Sykes two.
Both riders have good reason to look forward to another Laguna weekend, as each has previously won races at the undulating and intense circuit, which is home to the famous “Corkscrew” corner. The KRT riders shared one victory apiece in 2016, when Rea won the first race on Saturday and Sykes the second on Sunday.
In all, Sykes has won three of his career total of 33 WorldSBK races at Laguna - one on his way to the world championship with Kawasaki in 2013. He once more scored individual wins in the 2014 and 2016 seasons.
Currently, Rea holds a 50 point lead over Sykes as the 13- round/26 race championship has now passed through its halfway stage.
On completion of the Laguna Seca race weekend the championship enters a short summer break, with the ninth round taking place at the Lausitzring in Germany, with races to be held on the 19th and 20th of August.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “After Misano I enjoyed some time camping with my family and also got together with the whole KRT team in Ibiza for some fun. I’m really looking forward to Laguna Seca this weekend as it is one of the most iconic circuits in the world, and one that I really enjoy. Our Ninja ZX-10RR has been working very well so far this season so I am confident we can find a good feeling when we hit the track in FP1 on Friday. Last year I was able to win my first race at Laguna and this time the target is to repeat that in both races. The American fans are very passionate about WorldSBK and the atmosphere around the paddock is something that I really enjoy. We are now past the halfway point of the season and I am focused on this next block of races, just to be as strong as possible and go into the summer break satisfied with our work so far.”
Tom Sykes, stated: “The Laguna circuit is quite tight and twisty and the lap times are always very close. I have had some good results there and I remember I won the very first Laguna race I ever rode in. It surprised me at the time because I won it against a few guys who had been there before, racing in MotoGP or the American championship. I remember that I was proud of that because I thought it would be difficult to compete there the very first time. We have been making progress recently and I would like to keep moving forward and pick up a big bagful of points. That has to be the target this weekend. The American fans are fantastic and I just like the whole atmosphere and environment. I love the place!”
2017 KRT Rider Statistics
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015 and 2016
2017: Races 14, Wins 8, Podiums 13, Superpoles 3
Career Race Wins: 46 (31 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 101 (58 For Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 11 (7 For Kawasaki)
Tom Sykes: World Champion 2013
2017: Races: 14, Wins 2, Podiums 11, Superpoles 2
Career Race Wins: 33 (33 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 95 (94 For Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 40 (40 For Kawasaki)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
4 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Sykes 2013, Rea 2015 & 2016), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
2 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016)
2 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015 & 2016)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 101 – third overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 332 – third overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 68 – second overall