After various high profile announcements throughout November and December of 2018, it’s worth re capping how the 2019 international roads rider/team jigsaw is shaping up.
World’s fastest road racer Peter Hickman remains with Smiths Racing, respected rival Dean Harrison sticks with Silicone Engineering Racing who for 2019 will take on the mantle of Kawasaki UK’s official roads team.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Milenco Security backed Padgetts Racing join forces again with Conor Cummins, plus Bruce Anstey who’s set to make a much welcomed return to competition.
Others to not change team/machinery wise for 2019 include Adam McLean (McAdoo Kawasaki), Ian Hutchinson (Honda Racing), John McGuinness (Norton) and Dan Cooper (Impcross Engineering BMW).
Derek Sheils, 2016 Senior Manx GP champion Tom Weeden lead John Burrows BE Racing challenge, whilst the Manx based PreZ Racing squad have secured the services of Hebden Bridge’s Jamie Coward.
Triangle wizard Alastair Seeley will lead EHA Racing’s North West 200 Supersport challenge, the event record holder is also anticipated to pilot BMW’s in the 1000cc races.
Outside of the factory, semi works and high profile independent teams, many private outfits have also in recent times unveiled their plans for 2019.
This includes former IRRC Supersport champions Performance Racing Achterhoek, who will return to Mountain Course competition at TT 2019 running reigning Junior Manx GP runner up Dean Osborne.
Fellow multi Manx GP rostrum finishers Barry Evans, Darren Cooper have both been retained by PRF Racing and Noel Williamson Racing, whilst the popular Peoples Bike Team retain the services of Welshman Rhys Hardisty plus Senior Manx victor Matt Stevenson.
York’s Joe Thompson replaces Dominic Herbertson at WH Racing, Brian McCormack leads the newly formed ON1 Racing teams challenge, Xavier Denis remains at Optimark Road Racing who will also run IRRC Supersport stalwart Pierre Yves Bian at the North West 200 and Manx Grand Prix.
Craig Neve, David Jackson, Mountain Course newcomer Lukas Maurer are all set to run their own teams on the roads in 2019, as is 2017 TT Privateers champion Horst Saiger.
Amongst multiple teams/manufacturers still to announce their 2019 roads plans include Tyco BMW, the Penz 13 run Wepol Racing squad tipped to retain Danny Webb, JG Speedfit Kawasaki likely to re sign James Hillier, Shaun Muir Racing, Lee Hardy Racing, Suter, Paton, TC Racing, CF Moto and Mugen.
Words by Stevie Rial