The most recent round of the Championship, which took place back in early July in the United States of America, saw Rea and Sykes take a win apiece at Laguna Seca. Now as the season gets underway again KRT’s official riders sit first and second in the championship standings - Rea on 368 points and Sykes on 322 - with four rounds and eight points scoring races remaining. The next challenger to the title after nine of the 13 Championship rounds is Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Team), who is 62 points behind Sykes.

As the Lausitzring was last used as a WorldSBK venue back in 2007, neither Rea nor Sykes have raced at the multi-use German venue in a full world championship class. Both have, however, benefited from a short test session organised during the summer break, just to get a feel for the circuit layout. Sykes has, in fact, raced and won at the Lausitzring circuit in the past, when competing in a one-make championship during the early years of his career.

Recharged and refreshed from the summer break, Sykes and Rea look ahead to the home straight of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

Jonathan Rea:
“I rode at the Lausitzring recently on my own road bike – a Ninja ZX-10R. It was good to get some track time at a new track to me. Our rivals had tested there so it was important to get to know the track. It has been such a long summer break. For a few weeks at the start I enjoyed just being at home and after that I knuckled down to be in ideal condition for the last few races. I really put some effort in at the gym, riding motocross and my bicycle. The last four rounds are an important time and they come along in quick succession. It is important to be razor sharp to give myself the best possible chance through to the end of the year. My focus now is to increase the championship lead. Personally, I am looking at the last four races as one block because it is going to go by so fast.”

Tom Sykes:
“After such a long break I am happy to get back into racing and go back to Germany again. I have some good memories of the Lausitzring. The track itself is good as I like the layout but I think there are some areas where the width of the track is quite narrow. I have had a good summer but I am really looking forward to getting back onto the Ninja ZX-10R and really trying to capitalise on the pace we had before the break.”

Track action gets underway on Friday 16th September, with WorldSBK races to be held on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th.