Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes hopes his relative jump in form at the Motorland Aragon round will be the model for this weekend’s encounter at Assen, a place he says seem to be good for British riders.

Until this year, the works Kawasaki man hadn’t enjoyed a good relationship with the Spanish track but a double win, pole and fastest lap last time out saw him jump to the top of the points table.

“It was a good weekend for us in Aragon. I enjoyed the full weekend and the racing so I am looking forward to Assen. It is a track that in the past has given us much better results than Aragon used to so our improvement in form in Spain can be the model for us this weekend,” said Sykes.

“Assen is a circuit that is great for racing, great for spectators and I enjoy the layout. The Ninja ZX-10R works well there so I am hoping to have another strong weekend. Assen has always been a good track for the British riders but it is not at all like any circuits in the UK.

“In Britain it is all stop-and-start but in Assen you have got banked corners so it is like riding a roller coaster. I personally do not see any link between Assen and British tracks but British riders seem to like it there!

“The last chicane always provides some excitement as well and there is a massive grandstand right at that point, always full of fans. Last year we became world champions after a slow start but this year we are off to a much better start, which is nice. I am confident and happy in my own capabilities.”