Honda announce TT Legends line-up

Honda Motor Europe has revealed a four-strong rider line-up for the Honda TT Legends team for a second season in the FIM Endurance World Championship and selected road racing events.

Seventeen-times Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness and Cameron Donald will remain with the team for 2012 and will be joined by Gary Johnson and Simon Andrews.

All four will contest the 2012 Endurance series while McGuinness and Andrews will make up a two-man team for the Isle of Man TT and the Northwest 200.

Donald and Johnson will remain in the Honda family at both road racing events, competing for Wilson Craig Honda and East Coast Racing respectively.

Johnson will also contest the 2012 British Superstock Championship with Honda (UK) Racing.

Team manager Neil Tuxworth said: “We went into the 2011 EWC as a novice team and it was very much a development year – not just for the riders but for the whole crew. We had a good first year, but now the focus is on improvement with the ultimate goal being the podium.

“When it to comes to the TT, what better line-up than the fastest man around the course and the 2011 fastest newcomer?”

John McGuinness added: “Last year was definitely a learning year for the team and now it’s time to up our game in EWC. We were knocking on the door of the podium and this year we’ll hopefully go one step further and get up there.

“The fact that’s it’s the 20th anniversary of the Fireblade makes it all the more exciting.”

2011 TT fastest newcomer, Simon Andrews, gets one of the top rides at the TT and he said: “To be asked to join the Honda TT Legends team is a real honour and I can’t wait for the season to get started.

“I have done a couple of endurance races – one being the Le Mans 24-hour – so I do know what to expect but I’m sure the full championship will be a real challenge.

“And to be riding alongside John McGuinness at the TT is big business and I’m hoping he’ll have one or two pointers for me! There is no better person to learn from.”