WSB: Sykes to replace Haga at Yamaha Italia

"Tom Sykes is an excellent signing for the team, he is the most interesting young rider in circulation in the racing world this year. I've had time to appreciate his riding qualities during the season and Brands Hatch was the confirmation of his talent for me. His brilliant result at Donington strengthened our conviction. We know that there will be much work next season because the new YZF-R1 arrives and it will have to learn the tracks. We have a lot of faith in being able to obtain good results quickly and the presence of a young person with a lot of ambition will give new motivation to the team."

While Noriyuki Haga is now off to join Xerox Ducati as replacement for the retiring Troy Bayliss, the other Yamaha rider currently, Troy Corser is widely tipped to be about to jump ship and join Ruben Xaus on the new 2009 BMW WSB effort.