By Concluding a partnership which has yielded various top line results at national, International meetings, York’s Joe Thompson will embark upon a new challenge in 2019 having parted company with Team ILR.
Since linking up with Ian Lougher’s team in 2017, the highly rated Thompson has quietly but effectively moved up the ladder amongst road racing’s fastest rising next generation stars.
At a glance just some of the most notable feats within recent times on ILR machinery include top five, top six finishes at the Southern 100, consistently battling for Supersport rostrums at Oliver’s Mount, plus more than respectable sixth, eighth place finishes within the 600 encounters of this years Ulster Grand Prix.
He’s also enjoyed solid, accomplished maiden TT tenures, reeling off a strong of consistent results.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
We mustn’t forget as well his sustained success this year aboard Mark Coverdale’s factory backed S1-R Paton, which has been run under the Team ILR banner.
From the outside looking in to many, when a racer parts company with an established team it’s seen as a gamble.
The highly rated Thompson though knows what level he wants to get to in racing, and he’s carefully thought about what’s best for the next step in his International roads career.
Not short of options for 2019, it’s not surprising to see him have so many suitors for his services. One of the youngest podium finishers in North West 200 history, ‘Joey Yorkshire’ is most definitely one to watch next season.
Words by Stevie Rial
