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Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix
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Popular fan backed TT team thepeoplesbike has signed Southern Ireland based newcomer Alan Bonner to represent them in the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.
Bonner is the latest in a long list of riders to represent thepeoplesbike since their inception in 2009. This unique team is partly funded by race fans, who have their picture on the bikes fairings, as well as an open invitation to the team's awnings during the TT, in return for their support.
Alan will be competing in the two Monster Energy Supersport Races, the Dainese Superbike, RL360 Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT. He will be riding a Honda Fireblade in the three 1000cc classes and a Yamaha 600 in the two Supersport Races.
Alan won the 2010 Irish Road Race Senior Support Championship but followed that with a couple of seasons to forget after he broke both wrists in an accident in the Adelaide Masters round at Mondello Park. However, he is now firmly back on track and his career highlights to date include an impressive 127.9mph lap at the Ulster GP last year. He also performed notably in the 2012 Dundrod Challenge with a seventh placed finish.
Commenting on the news, Alan Bonner said: "I am really excited to be coming to the TT and running under thepeoplesbike banner. I know it's a brilliant chance for me, and I can't wait to tackle the course. It's also really great to be part of a project that's backed by genuine race fans and I look forward to meeting our supporters at the 2014 event."
Northern Ireland rider Stephen Thompson will be returning to the team in 2014, riding a Suzuki 600 in both Monster Energy Supersport Races. Thompson's TT career includes a highest placed finish of 15th, which he achieved in last year's PokerStars Senior TT, although he has not raced in the Supersport class to date at the TT. He has a fastest Mountain Course lap of 123.635mph, which he set in the 2013 PokerStars Senior TT.
Team manager Mark Cubbon commented: "We are really pleased to be working with Alan for his TT debut. I believe he has the talent to have a great TT career ahead of him. We're also delighted to have Stephen back with the team again this year. His infectious sense of humour and ability makes him a big hit with the team as well as the fans who back us."
The team will post their official T-shirt, cap and signed photo to team sponsors anywhere in the world. During practice and race week the team will be tweeting live from the paddock and grid. Photographs will be posted daily on the team's facebook page and website.
Check out the team's website www.thepeoplesbike.com and keep up to date with their news at this year's TT and also see how you can become part of this unique team.
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With the stunning entry assembled for the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, the excitement and anticipation is set to increase as the start numbers are now confirmed for the 1000cc solo classes. 2014 will again see riders in numbers 1-20 being seeded and it's a top twenty packed with established race winners, regular front runners and exciting new talent.
After taking number three last year to honour Joey Dunlop's first TT win for Honda, twenty-times TT winner John McGuinness will revert back to number one on the grid, with the Morecambe Missile having won races in 2011 and 2012 starting from the head of the field. The experienced Honda Racing rider will be expected to use the advantage of the clear road to try and break the chasing pack.
Ten seconds behind will be the man who shadowed him for much of last year's PokerStars Senior Race, James Hillier, and having lapped in the 131mph bracket to become the fifth fastest rider ever, the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki rider knows he'll have to do more of the same and with McGuinness ahead on the road he'll have no better target.
Number three will, arguably, be the most celebrated rider at TT2014 with Ian Hutchinson, the five-time winner of 2010, returning to a hero's welcome. The Milwaukee Yamaha rider has been to hell and back since that achieving that magnificent feat and will be determined to get back to winning ways immediately.
He'll be pushing for his ninth TT race win with his first chance in the Dainese Superbike Race but behind him is a man challenging for his first with Guy Martin, as in 2013, heading off at number four. It's also the fourth year he's been with Hector and Philip Neill's Tyco Suzuki squad so could 2014 finally be the year?
The potential race winners come thick and fast though with the next ones to set off down Bray Hill being Bruce Anstey, Michael Dunlop and Gary Johnson. Dunlop, of course, almost swept the board in 2013, taking four race wins and a second place, but now he's made the switch to the BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing team all eyes will be on him to see if he can continue his winning spree.
Anstey, now the second fastest rider ever, can never be ruled out and although he failed to add to his nine wins last year, he was on the pace and is still determined to take his first Superbike Race win. Likewise Johnson, who challenged for the lead in the early stages of both the Superbike and Senior Races in 2013 before technical gremlins intervened, will be looking for his first 'big bike' win.
William Dunlop has made the move to the Tyco Suzuki team and gets his first 1000cc top ten start at 8 while the top ten is completed by Michael Rutter and local hero Conor Cummins, the latter looking to replicate his 2010 form when he led the Superbike Race for four laps. Now part of the Honda Racing squad, all of his rivals know he's one to watch.
Dan Stewart, carrying the number 11 plate, will again be looking to get the SMT /Wilcock Consulting machines in amongst the factory riders while a strong lower order threat comes from number 12 in the shape of Dean Harrison. Now approaching his fourth year at the TT, Harrison is expected to be challenging for race wins on the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki.
Another exciting youngster, Lee Johnston, the reigning TT Privateer's Champion, can be found at number 13 and is expected to make further strides forward while arguably one of the most exciting riders at TT2014 can be found at number 14 - Josh Brookes. Now riding for Milwaukee Yamaha, the Australian rider became the fastest ever newcomer last year when he set a scorching lap of 127.726mph, beating Steve Plater's six year mark, and many are predicting a130mph lap and possible podium for the BSB star this time around.
Leading privateers Steve Mercer (15), David Johnson (16) and Dan Kneen (17) will be hoping to keep Brookes in their sights with Simon Andrews (18) looking for a strong run on Rico Penzkofer's BMW. The recent news that Cameron Donald will be back at the TT sees the double winner line up at number 19 on the Norton, echoing Steve Hislop's stunning 1992 race victory, meaning that there are three Australians in the top twenty. The final seeded rider, completing the top twenty, will be Ben Wylie, winner of the 2009 Newcomers Trophy.
Outside the top 20, race order will again be determined by qualifying times but numbers to look out for include Ryan Farquhar who has opted to take his usual number 77, which indicates he'll be looking more for enjoyable rides rather than being in the competitive mix, and the returning American Jimmy Moore, riding again for East Coast Construction, at number 21.
Jamie Hamilton, now riding for Wilson Craig Racing, will have the number 26 plate with Horst Saiger, who was second fastest newcomer behind Brookes in 2013, taking 28 while Ivan Lintin, contesting the 1000cc races for the first time, will have number 37 adorning the Taylor Lindsey Racing Honda's.
The newcomers are spread out through the entry list with Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman taking their regular British Superbike numbers of 40 and 60 respectively. Others to look out for include former Grand Prix regular Danny Webb (66), Canadian ace Dan Kruger (71) and leading IRRC riders Vick de Cooremeter (92) and Laurent Hoffmann (93).
The RL 360° Superstock entry sees most of the riders given the same numbers although Hutchinson, Brookes and Donald have all decided not to take part which will see riders below them moving up the grid. A number will also be in different livery including McGuinness (Padgetts Motorcycles), Michael Dunlop (MD Racing) and Cummins (RAF Reserves Racing).
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Norton Motorcycles has confirmed that Cameron Donald will contest the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, with the Australian ace lining up in the Dainese Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races for the British manufacturer. Cameron will start both races from the number 19 position, made famous by the late Steve Hislop who took Norton’s last TT victory in the 1992 Senior Race.
After three years with Wilson Craig Racing, there has been much speculation about Donald’s future since last year’s TT. However, while the change in teams will see his career take a different direction, it signals his intention to continue racing at the highest level and also his passion for competing on the Mountain Course.
Hailing from Warrandyte, near Melbourne, Donald won the TT Newcomers Trophy in 2005 and set the paddock alight a year later when he took a stunning second place in the Senior TT. 2008 saw him claim a Superbike-Superstock double victory for Relentless by TAS Suzuki before setting the first ever 131mph+ lap in practice for the 2009 meeting although a spill a day later ultimately put him out of the races.
Although he has yet to win another race, he now has an impressive tally of ten podiums with his most recent coming in last year’s Superbike Race when he took second place behind Michael Dunlop. With a fastest lap of 130.729mph, Donald is also the eighth fastest rider ever to have lapped the 37 and ¾-mile course and showed his versatility with second in the inaugural Okells Brewery 350cc Classic TT Race last August.
Having made an unsuccessful return to the TT in 2009 with Michael Dunlop, Norton bounced back in 2012 with Ian Mackman on board their all-new machine although the Senior Race cancellation put paid to their hopes of a competitive finish. However, with further development, they came back stronger in 2013 with a two-man team comprising Mackman and Daniel Hegarty and the duo lapped at 122.277mph and 122.290mph respectively with Mackman claiming the best result of the fortnight with 18th in the Superbike Race.
Over the winter, Norton have secured the services of both Mick Grant and Steve Plater to aid further development and progress and by signing a proven TT winner in Donald, in a three year deal, their intentions for the 2014 TT have clearly been set.
Cameron Donald commented: "When Norton began talking to me about their plans for TT 2014 I knew it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. With the enthusiasm and experience of the Norton team behind me and ex TT winners such as Mick Grant and Steve Plater now involved, this is sure to be an exciting year. Norton is synonymous with the Isle of Man TT and I can't wait to ride the new SG3 round the Mountain Course and add to their Isle of Man history."
Stuart Garner, CEO, Norton Motorcycles commente d:"Cameron is a really great rider to have on board, not only as a racer but also as a brand ambassador for Norton. His support, feedback and endorsement will all be really important to us both as a company and a race team as we look to and we are all relishing the challenge of developing a strong bike and team around him for the long-term. We will also be working with Cameron within our road bike business, primarily to help develop our Australasian markets where Norton, Cameron and the TT all have a great following."
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After finishing in fifth place with Chris McGahan in the SES TT Zero in 2013, Italian based Team Vercarmoto, who made their debut in the event in 2012, has announced that American Mark Miller will ride for them in the 2014 Race.
The American rider is seen as a specialist in the category and boasts a respectable track record in the Isle of Man TT Zero class with the runner up position in 2011 and 3rd place in 2012 to go with his 2010 race victory. The American is also one of only three riders to break the prestigious 100mph mark around the iconic 37.73 mile TT Mountain Course on an electric bike, a feat he achieved in the 2012 race.
"I'm very excited to be joining Team Vercarmoto for the 2014 TT Zero event," said Miller. "I met the team owner Carlo Gelmi a few years ago when he told me he was building a very fast electric race bike and indeed he has done it. After their Vercar R6E finished in 5th place in the 2013 TT Zero Race I had a close look at their bike, a heavily modified Yamaha R6 with a gearbox intact. With loads of carbon fibre and other trick bits, it definitely looks capable of doing the business to fight for the podium and this will be our aim."
He continued: "I want to wish MotoCzysz and Michael Czysz all the best as they take a year off from racing and welcome this terrific opportunity to work with my new Italian team. I cannot wait to get the TT fortnight rolling again."
Miller will compete riding the Vercar R6E, the only electric motorcycle with 6-speed gearbox, extremely compact dimensions and chassis borrowed from the starting bike: Yamaha YZF-R6.
The performance is around 75 bhp with a weight of about 225 kg and a speed close to 250 km/h (155 mph), obtained thanks to an engine with drive control that allows the recovery of kinetic energy during braking. The Motorcycle batteries with lithium-ion technology are very high performance with a special electronic management system (BMS) that allows the optimization of the energy in any operating condition.
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Entries for the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, closed at the end of February with a strong, high quality field confirmed for the 2014 meeting
The Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360° Superstock, Lightweight and Monster Energy Supersport categories were all over-subscribed and a star-studded group of riders will line-up at the end of May while the Formula Two Sidecar class will see over 60 outfits on the grid.
An impressive sixty-six of this year’s solo riders have already lapped at more than 120mph promising not only strong competition at the front of the field, with all the leading riders confirmed to take part, but also strength in depth. It also meant for any rider being awarded an entry they’d be in possession of a coveted and prized asset and gave organisers the tough decision of having to turn down a number of riders who may previously have received an entry in years gone by.
The entry contains eleven former solo race winners with a collective 57 wins between them whilst riders from all corners of the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Italy, USA, France, Hungary, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic and Argentina are represented.
All of the current road racing contenders have entered with strong teams including Honda Racing, Padgetts Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing, Milwaukee Yamaha, Tyco Suzuki, Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki, SMT / Wilcock Racing, RC Express Racing by MSS Performance, Lincs Lifting Ltd, Wilson Craig Racing, Lloyd and Jones PR Kawasaki, Penz13.Com BMW Racing Team and Norton Motorcycles whilst new outfits on the entry include Tsingtao Racing, Team Traction Control and Riders Motorcycles BMW.
Familiar names including current Mountain Course maestro John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, Michael Rutter, James Hillier, William Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Dan Stewart and David Johnson are all back for more with Steve Mercer, Dan Kneen, Ben Wylie and Ivan Lintin some of the leading privateers tackling the famous 37 and ¾ miles of tarmac in June.
Leading newcomers, and exciting talent, of recent years – Josh Brookes, Simon Andrews, Lee Johnson, Horst Saiger, Jamie Hamilton, Daniel Cooper, Karl Harris, Gavin Hunt and Jimmy Storrar – have reaffirmed their affinity with the TT, with impressive new names for 2014 set to include British Superbike Championship contenders Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman, former Moto 3 Grand Prix front runner Danny Webb, road race regulars Callum Laidlaw and Alan Bonner and overseas stars including Belgians Vick de Cooremeter and Laurent Hoffmann, Canadian Dan Kruger and Frenchman Franck Petricola.
A number of riders make welcome returns to the TT including former front-runners, and now team-mates, Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor. American ace Jimmy Moore, who lapped at close to 125mph in 2010, Stefano Bonetti, Michael Russell, Scott Wilson, James Edmeades and Roger Maher also return while a strong influx of talent from the Manx Grand Prix, most notably James Cowton, Michael Sweeney, Colin Stephenson, Stephen McKnight, Rab Davie, Connor Behan, Christopher Dixon and Alexander Pickett, have decided to make the step up to the TT.
The renaissance of the Formula Two Sidecar class on the Island continues with an entry again numbering over 60, nine of whom will be newcomers. Having missed out on victory last year 16-times winner Dave Molyneux, again with Patrick Farrance in the chair, will be eager to add to that tally.
Last year's first time race winners, former World Champions Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall, who will again be partnered by Dan Sayle and Tom Birchall respectively, will be looking to at least double their haul whilst John Holden and Andy Winkle will be hoping to add to their solitary success in 2011.
Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott, perennial bridesmaids, are back for another attempt following their podium last year, as are Gary Bryan/Jamie Winn, Karl Bennett/Lee Cain and Frank Lelias/Paul Knapton. Ian Bell, Nigel Connole, Carl Fenwick and Vince Biggs are four high quality drivers to make returns to the Mountain Course after a long absence, while the strong tally of 9 newcomers include Alan Founds/Tom Peters, John and Jake Lowther and the Australian father and son pairing of Dwight and Noel Beare.
The lightweight class, for Supertwin machines, has again seen an increase in entries with over 80 received, including former race winners Hillier and Farquhar, Harrison, Rutter, Michael Dunlop, Lintin, Hamilton, Johnston, Guy Martin and Amor. Gary and David Johnson and Dan Cooper should make stronger impressions on the Chinese WK machines while Cowton, Olie Linsdell, Wylie, Hunt and Rider Liaison Officer John Barton should also feature prominently as should Roy Richardson who makes his return to the TT after a two-year absence.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, Isle of Man Government, believes that the entry list will see records tumbling again - "Not only do we have an increasingly impressive entry list at the front of the grid, with all the leading contenders competing and significant commitment from the leading manufacturers but we also have a incredible strength in depth throughout the field.”
He continued: "120mph plus laps are fast becoming the minimum benchmark at TT in the 1000cc classes with high calibre newcomers quickly demonstrating their ability on the roads. I expect this year's races not only to again have thrilling finishes with races decided by split seconds but to also see solid performances from a talented group of newcomers. It's also encouraging to see such strong entries for both the Sidecar and Lightweight Races.”
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