Yamaha’s Supersport class challenge at TT 2020 has been given an extra injection of roads alien quality, following the announcement this morning that Mountain Course lap record holder Peter Hickman will pilot YZF R6 Yamaha machinery in next June’s Monster Energy Supersport races.
Already prior to today’s latest major International roads news, Yamaha’s middleweight class presence for TT 2020 was looking mighty with the likes of Lee Johnston, James Hillier, David Johnson all set to jockey R6 mounts.
The addition of the multi TT winning Hickman/Smiths Racing partnership is no question though a coup for the famous marque who has the record for the most TT podium finishes in history.
Photo via Smiths Racing press release
Commenting on the decision to step away from competing on the 675 Daytona Triumph steed, that has served him so well over recent roads tenures, five times TT winner Hickman candidly stated:
“We’ve made the decision to change from the Triumph to the Yamaha in the Supersport class for the International road races which will obviously be a bit different to the last three years.
We’ve had an awesome time with the Triumph and it’s been absolutely brilliant with the win at last year’s TT and all three victories at the Ulster Grand Prix being phenomenal.
The little Daytona has done a fantastic job but, unfortunately, it’s a little bit long in the tooth now so to try and move with the times and keep up with what everyone else is doing we’ve decided to move over to the Yamaha.
I’ve never actually raced an R6 before so I’m really looking forward to jumping on it to see what we can do.”
Smiths Racing Team Manager Darren Jones, provided additional comment:
“It wasn’t an easy decision for us to change from Triumph as they have been faultless in aiding us all the way through our roads campaign in 2019 but unfortunately, as the bike is no longer in production, we have been struggling to get the parts we need and feel like we are at the maximum when it comes to development.
Therefore, 2020 will see us take on a fresh challenge and we feel that’s what’s needed to give Hicky a fighting chance. A big thanks to Steve at Raceways Yamaha for pulling out all the stops in getting us the R6 before Christmas, the boys have started already!”
Words by Stevie Rial, quotes via Smiths Racing press release