Eugene Laverty replaces Tom Sykes at Jerez WorldSBK

Eugene Laverty will replace Tom Sykes at this weekend’s Jerez WorldSBK (round ten), after the 2013 champion was declared unfit due to concussion. 

Sykes was diagnosed with a ‘severe concussion’ following last Sunday’s race two in Catalunya which saw him crash at turn one. 

While no video footage emerged from the fall, Sykes went down at the first right-hander before being collected by an oncoming Lucas Mahais, who himself crashed after running into the BMW rider’s head. 

Leading into Saturday’s opening race of the Catalunya round, it was shaping up to be an impressive showing from Sykes as he claimed pole position - first rider other than Jonathan Rea to take pole this season. 

However, the British rider got a poor start and was mired back in the pack. Sykes eventually went on to claim eight place, before suffering a DNF in the Superpole race due to team-mate Michael Van Der Mark crashing into him. 

For Laverty, it’s a return to racing after missing the last five rounds starting with Assen. 

Laverty added: “First of all I’d like to wish Tom well in his recovery. I’m very excited to get back racing after almost three months on the sidelines.

"BMW have made big strides forward with the M 1000 RR lately and I’m keen to see where we’re at. I’ve really missed that feeling of being on the grid so I can’t wait to get stuck in on Saturday!”

Following round four at Donington Park, Laverty’s RC Squadra Corse team went under ‘internal restructuring’ which has remained the case until this point. 

Laverty is no stranger to the factory BMW Motorrad team after being with them last season alongside Sykes.

Sykes is not the only rider who has been ruled out this weekend, as Chaz Davies has also been replaced by Loris Baz after suffering two broken ribs.