Bird’s week of big announcements!

North motor sport with ZOE BURN

PENRITH’S Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) has had a busy week of announcements after confirming two massive names for 2022.

On Friday, Bird’s squad finally revealed the worstkept secret in British motorcycle racing – the return of former World Superbike champion Tom Sykes to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, just days after confirming Michael Dunlop for a roads campaign.

The 19-times TT winner will pilot the team’s Ducati Panigale at both the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, while Sykes will join Josh Brookes for a full BSB season on the newly named MCE Ducati.

Dunlop, of Ballymoney, Co Antrim had originally signed to ride Bird’s bike in 2020 but following the cancellation of two years of roads action, will finally get the chance.

At the 2019 TT, Dunlop was victorious in the Lightweight TT to add to his tally as the third most successful rider around the iconic 37.73-mile Mountain Course.

This year, he will continue to run his own machinery in the Supersport and Superstock categories but will pilot PBM’S Panigale in the two main races.

The team last appeared at a TT in 2015, when Ian Hutchinson finished second in the Superbike TT and third in the Senior, along with winning the

Superstock TT aboard a PBM Kawasaki.

Meanwhile, the team’s BSB season is looking just as bright following the arrival of 2013 WSB champ Sykes to join two-times BSB champ Brookes as the team debuts its new MCE Ducati moniker.

Sykes returns to the championship he left in 2008 when he finished fourth overall after a season of wins and podiums before he moved off to the World stage.

Known as the ‘Grinner,’ Sykes did return for a wildcard ride at Brands Hatch in 2010 when he took a double win on Bird’s WSB Kawasaki, but this year will be his first time on a Ducati.

“I am very excited and motivated for this great opportunity to race in BSB with PBM,” he said. “In terms of a domestic championship, it certainly doesn’t get any better - the level of competition is obviously high and there is some great talent.

“To be back with PBM is fantastic, it is a team I have been a part of before, both in BSB and in WSBK and one that has all of the pedigree for the task ahead.

“I will also be riding a Ducati for the first time in my career.”