Tom Sykes will remain with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2021 season, the team has confirmed.

Joining new team-mate, Michael van der Mark, who announced his departure from the PATA Yamaha team ahead of the restarted 2020 season. The British rider will line up on the World Superbike grid for the 14th consecutive season, his third with the German manufacturer.

The team ran by Shaun Muir has failed to stand on the top step of the season, however, the pole record setter, Sykes, has managed to claim pole position and podium finishes in his three year run with the team.

Marc Bongers: BMW Motorsport Director

“Tom has been part of our WorldSBK Team from the very start and is an important pillar of this project. We are pleased to be able to continue along the common path in 2021, which we embarked upon with the first tests back in December 2018. This gives us continuity, which is very important for the successful development of a project. We have already achieved a lot together, and the goal is now to definitively close the gap to the front-runners. Tom’s extensive knowledge of the BMW S 1000 RR and his input will play a key role in achieving this.”

This has answered the question that was circulating through the WorldSBK paddock, meaning Eugene Laverty is without a ride for 2021.

Sykes currently lies tenth in the overall World Superbike classification with his best result of the shortened 2020 season coming from Australia, Spain and the latest round of the season at Portimao with a trio of sixth-place finishes.

Featured image: BMW Motorrad