Ahead of his return to British Superbikes, Tom Sykes completed a shakedown test on the Aprilia RSV4.
Tom Sykes experienced the Sencat IN Competition by Swan Racing Aprilia for the first time at the weekend.
The 39-year-old linked up with the team for a brief shakedown on Saturday, completing some initial laps ahead of his return to British Superbikes this weekend.
Sykes will join the team at the second round of the British Superbike Championship this weekend at Donington Park.
The former World Superbike Champion has come in as a replacement as Lewis Rollo continues his recovery from injury following a pre-season testing crash at Circuito de Navarra.
"It was good to have a shakedown ready for the weekend," Sykes said following his shakedown test.
"I was able to get some laps under my belt on the Aprilia RSV4, and having now been out on the bike and seeing the potential, I am looking forward to getting to Donington Park.
"The initial feeling is good and I’m excited to be working with a good bunch of people there."
Sykes has not raced since the 2023 World Superbike Championship, when he broke ten ribs, including three in two separate places. He also suffered a thoracic and left ankle injury in a crash at Donington Park.
However, his last experience on a British Superbike machine came in 2022 when he rode for the Hager PBM Ducati squad. During this season, Sykes finished 12th in the Championship and took two race wins at Donington Park.
When it was first announced that Sykes would ride for his team, Chris Barnes, the Team Owner at Sencat IN Competition by Swan Racing Aprilia, commented: “Obviously we are gutted Lewis is still injured but we wish him well with his recovery and hope to see him back out there as soon as he is fit and it is possible to ride again.
“To have Tom riding our bike is fantastic, he has a knowledge and world of experience that he can bring and share with us. He’s a former World Champion and very popular with the fans. It will be a great chance for us; we are putting zero pressure on him and very much using him as a test rider to get the bike where it needs to be.”
