Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes will help Jonathan Rea to secure his first World Superbike crown in 2015 if he is not challenging for the title himself.

The former WSBK king said yesterday at Portimao that should he not be in the mix for top spot towards the end of the year, he will be a team player and assist team-mate Rea where possible to give Kawasaki another title even though the pair are not the best of friends.

“Of course. It’s quite funny how the year has gone. Last year, I expected this from Loris and it never happened but if the shoe is on the other foot, I am a team player and if I have no influence on the championship, you have to show respect for your team,” said Sykes.