Kawasaki WorldSBK star Tom Sykes hasn't ever contested the Suzuka Eight-Hours and will not be there again this year as he hasn't been invited to take part.
The Huddersfield rider has again been overlooked as Jonathan Rea returns to the event after his last victory there some five years ago. He will be joined by two-time winner Leon Haslam.
“I have not been invited, if you like, but they have got other riders in he pipeline to do it. It is on my bucket list and we will look at doing that another time," said Sykes.