Sykes is in dreamland after claiming World Superbike title

Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland are all former winners of the biggest prize in production-based racing, while Sykes’ victory was also the first for Kawasaki since Scott Russell in 1993

The championship was particularly sweet for the Weston-under-Wetherley-based rider as he missed out on the title to Italian Max Biaggi by just half a point in 2012.

Sykes finished behind Ireland’s Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) and Italian Marco Melandri in race one to confirm his title before going on to claim a runners-up spot in the second 21-lap race - again won by Laverty - to finish with a championship advantage of 23 points.

“I’m absolutely over the moon, so emotional,” said Sykes. “I was shedding a few tears on the slowing down lap, I was shaking,” he told British Eurosport.

“There have been lots of sacrifices to get here. Finally we’re here and what a feeling.”

Hampered by a left wrist injury at the start of the season, Sykes had taken his time to show his true speed.

But a first and a second at round three in Holland showed he would be a title contender and he followed that up by taking a double race win at Donington Park.

The Yorkshireman repeated that in Italy but his second home round at Silverstone proved a low point as he could only finish 11th and seventh.

But from there the 28-year-old showed the sort of form which has earned him the title, taking a race win in Germany, two podiums in Turkey, a win and a fourth in the US and a double victory in France before sealing the title in Spain.

And, despite his strong position going into the final weekend, the Warwick District Sports Personality of the Year admitted the magnitude of his achievement may still take some time to sink in.

“Since Magny Cours there were moments when my mind started dreaming. When I was dreaming I had goosebumps and it was magical to even dream I could be world champion.

“But that was maybe two per cent of what I am feeling now after winning the title.”