Road Racing: Riders Confirmed For International Meetings

The 2019 Road Racing season is now fast approaching, and a raft of major names from the sport have been signed (or re-signed) by the top teams over the past couple of weeks.

Michael Dunlop has decided to resume his road racing career, after taking an extended break from the sport in 2018 following the tragic passing of his older brother, William.

The 18-time Isle of Man TT race winner will contest the superbike classes at the international meetings with the Tyco-BMW team. In addition to this, Dunlop’s own team (MD Racing) will once again return to the road racing scene with Superstock 1000 and Supersport machinery.

In an official statement announcing his return to the sport, Dunlop said: “After having some time off now is the time to come back bigger and better than ever. I have a strong team and great bunch of lads, some who will be returning with me this year along with a few new faces…We have the new S1000 RR K67 bike this year so there will be a few late nights to get all ready to go ASAP. We are up for the challenge with the bike and will be working alongside Tyco BMW for technical support and developing our relationship.”

Davey Todd will spearhead a four rider line up for the Penz13 BMW team this season, as the German team return to the road racing scene for the first time in three years. Building on from his stunning debut season in 2018, which included being named fastest newcomer at both the North West and the TT, Todd will be aiming to make an impression upon the front runners in 2019.

Todd will be joined at the team by Daley Mathieson, former grand prix racer Danny Webb and Erno Kostamo, a rookie from Finland. Kostamo will make his debut for the team at this year’s North West 200, standing in for regular rider Webb as he competes in the Endurance World Championship round in Slovakia.

Following his move from the PBM Be-Wiser Ducati team at the end of last season, the announcement that Glenn Irwin would contest the international meetings on the other Bournemouth Kawasaki bike was a mere formality. The Ulsterman has taken the North West 200 by storm since making his debut in 2017. For this year, Irwin has publicly declared his intention to become the first rider in history to take a clean sweep of all six of Saturday’s races. Full story can be found here: https://motorradio-xijqc.projectbeta.co.uk/history-beckons-at-the-north-west33269-2/

David Johnson has signed to ride for Honda Racing this season to partner the returning Ian Hutchinson, who’s 2018 campaign was mired by injury problems. Both will contest all Superbike and Superstock class races aboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 model, whilst it has also been announced that the team will provide Hutchinson with a CBR600RR machine for the Supersport class. The 16-time TT race winner will be desperate to get back to winning ways in 2019, and resume his fierce rivalry with Northern Ireland’s Michael Dunlop. 

John McGuinness will once again be riding for Stuart Garner’s Norton team in 2019. The ‘Morecambe Missle’ joined the British outfit from Honda after the 2017 season but, due to injury, could not race at the TT in 2018. In addition to contested the Superbike classes, McGuinness will be provided with an all-new Norton ‘Superlight’ for the lightweight TT class and super-twin categories at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix. 

There has, as of yet, been no confirmation of whether Josh Brookes will continue with the team this year. Since 2016 the Australian has spearheaded Norton’s TT campaign, however Brookes’ commitment could be complicated by his new BSB employers, PBM Be-Wiser Ducati. With Paul Brid’s team now running the new Panigale V4R machine, he may be tempted to bring the Ducati name back to the TT paddock and would almost certainly insist Brookes ride for his team.

The 2019 Road Racing season gets underway at the Cookstown 100, April 26-27