Tom Sykes will leave the official Suzuki British Superbike team, operated by Crescent, at the end of this month after a very positive 2008 season.

Sykes joined the team at the end of 2007 and they have worked well together throughout the year, achieving regular podium finishes and three wins in the British Superbike Championship. He also raced to second place as a wild card at World Superbike level at Donington Park, standing on the podium alongside World Champion Troy Bayliss.

He will be replaced by French MotoGP star Sylvain Guintoli who has signed up for the 2009 British Superbike season with the Crescent Suzuki team with the aim of continuing the good form shown during 2008 and mounting a serious challenge for the 2009 BSB title.

Paul Denning, Managing Director of Crescent said: "We would all like to wish Tom our best wishes for the future. He did a sterling job for us and Suzuki this year and I'm impressed with what he helped us achieve. We are extremely disappointed to lose him but at the same time we are happy for Tom that he has secured such a good opportunity at World level. I'm sure he has a glittering career ahead - we will be watching his progress and hopefully welcoming him back to the Suzuki family in the future."