WorldSBK: Leon Haslam stands in for Sykes at Imola

Leon Haslam returns to the WorldSBK paddock and will replace Tom Sykes at Imola.

Leon Haslam will join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team at Imola and will replace Tom Sykes. Haslam last raced in WorldSBK in 2022, riding for the TPR Team Pedercini racing team in four appearances.

He will replace the Sykes who was injured in the final race of the weekend at Donington Park. Sykes was taken to hospital where he found out that he had 10 broken ribs and an ankle injury. Tom Sykes was originally brought in to replace Michael van der Mark who still needs more time to recover.

Haslam is one of the most experienced riders in World Superbike, having raced for Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, BMW, Aprilia and Kawasaki during his time in the Championship. clinching Haslam last rode for BMW in 2011 and 2012 and in that time, he clinched eight podiums – including a debut podium in Australia. 

Leon Haslam has great experience on the brand new BMW M1000RR, racing in the 2023 British Superbike Championship. Currently, Haslam is in fifth position in the standings, with six podiums in the first half of the season. 

Speaking ahead of the round, Haslam said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity. Obviously, I have a lot of history with Imola. We took the Championship in 2010 down to the last round at Imola. It’s fantastic to ride again for BMW Motorrad Motorsport. 

“We are riding the BMW M 1000 RR in the UK so I’m looking forward to working with Shaun Muir and all the guys from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. I have no real big expectations, I just want to try to enjoy and hopefully we can get some good information and some good results.”

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers thanked Haslam for standing in, adding: “First of all, many thanks to Leon for being available at short notice to be with us at Imola. We know each other well from the past, where we celebrated success together. 

“This season he has returned to the BMW Motorrad family in BSB and is familiar with the new BMW M 1000 RR. He also has a lot of WorldSBK experience, and we are confident that he will quickly get back up to speed at Imola.

“After his crash at Donington, Tom Sykes is on the road to recovery and was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after a week, and we all send him our best wishes. Michael van der Mark participated in a track day last week, however a return for Imola would still be too early, and we have jointly decided that he will sit out this weekend, and then we will reassess the situation.”

Image credit: britishsuperbike.com