The entry list to the 2009 TT reads like who’s who of motorcycle racing. There are two World Champions, 13 former TT winners who have amassed an incredible 61 wins between them. There are two European Champions, 22 National champions from nine countries. 21 solo newcomers, and six sidecar crews – a truly impressive line up.
Gary Johnson racing for Uel Duncan on the Robinson’s Concrete Honda has opted to run the number one plate guaranteeing him clear road at least until John McGuinness gets into his stride. Johnson, achieved four top six finishes and with the ex-Gregorio Lavilla WSB Honda at his disposal, he could be the dark horse.
Keith Amor grabbed his first TT podium in 2008 after a superb ride in the Supersport race and he comes in to his third TT year ready to challenge in all classes. The team most likely to challenge the Honda army is the Relentless Suzuki by TAS squad who have stayed faithful with the Antipodeans Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey. The pairing took three wins last time out and they could quite feasibly have taken all five solo races had it not been for Anstey’s disqualification in the Relentless Supersport race and mechanical issues in the Senior. With nine wins between them, Anstey and Donald are sure to be challenging again in 2009, with both riders more than capable of cracking the 130mph barrier.
The TAS team will again supply bikes to triple TT winner Adrian Archibald who showed he still has what it takes with third in last year’s Dainese Superbike race. The fastest Irishman to have lapped the Mountain Course again rides under the banner of AMA Racing. More potential winners can be found at Yamaha who are back in force Ian Lougher. The veteran rider is back again in the colours of Team Blackhorse and with 99 TT races under his belt, the Welshman is all set to break Joey Dunlop’s record tally of 100 TT starts this June, a truly staggering feat. Mats Nilsson comes in to the Blackhorse team for his second TT and the Swedish star should again feature prominently.
Michael Rutter was due to race the TT for Rob Mac Racing on the northwest 200 R1 however he ha split from the team and instead will be running a Crsecent prepared Suzuki GSX-R 1000. The Midlands man was hampered by injury and machine trouble last time he rode in 2007 but can never be ruled out on race day.
The Dunlop brothers, Michael and William, have entries in all races with Michael, in particular, expected to shine. The 21-year old was sensational in 2008, taking two top ten finishes and becoming the fastest Dunlop in the history of the TT. Meanwhile, elder brother William is back after missing last year’s event and is very much one to watch on the CD Racing Yamaha’s, especially in the two Supersport races.
The JMF Millsport Racing team are also back on the entry with American ace Jimmy Moore riding their Yamaha machines whilst James McBride returns with Pazzo Racing after his racing last year was brought to a halt with a horrific practice crash at Gorse Lea. Yamaha have further strength with Ian Armstrong, Olie Linsdell and Mark Parrett all Yamaha mounted.
The team to beat will be the HM Plant Honda squad fielding the legendary John McGuinness and the ever-smiling Steve Plater. McGuinness his the outright lap record and 14 TT under his belt but his team-mate Plater is hungry for another win to add to his fledgling tally. Either way an HM Plant Honda is likely to grace the podium over race week.
To complete the two week race fest, The Doctor himself, Valentino Rossi is lined up to visit the TT for the first time and will ride the Mountain course along side another race legend Giacomo Agostini. The famous pair will lap the 37.73 mile course ahead of the Dainese Superbike race riding 2009 Yamaha R1s behind the course car, flanked by Travelling Marshals riding similar machines.
Rossi is excited about his first visit to the TT saying: ‘I am fascinated by all sort of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time. The MotoGP schedule is very busy around this time of year, but this year the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity to see this famous event! I have seen many famous images from the TT races, and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.’
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