Steve Plater and John McGuinness confirmed for HM Plant Honda road assault

Steve Plater will ride alongside John McGuinness for HM Plant Honda at the Isle of Man and the North West 200.

Honda had been expected to announce a strong racing field for their road campaign in 2009 which is the manufactures 50th anniversary year of participation in motorcycle racing.

Plater has taken a number of wins at the North West in his career, but is a relative newcomer to the Island.

But the 36-year old still took a Supersport win at TT 2008 in only his second year racing on the Isle of Man.

He said: ““For me in 2009, the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT races are so close to my heart and a massive part of my season.

“I’ve won a few races at the North West, but I’m still hungry for more.

“I took three wins from four races there this year, but I wanted a clean sweep – that’s now the aim for 2009.

“At the TT, to be the fastest newcomer ever was a dream, but that meant I didn’t know if I should go back – as how do you beat a year like that?

“I have decided to finish my ‘three-year apprenticeship’ of the Island though and this year I took the Supersport win, and in doing so took five seconds out of John on the Mountain.

“You don’t do that lightly, so I’m also looking forward to the TT with HM Plant Honda.”

Plater will race alongside 14-time TT winner McGuinness in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock races at the TT, and in both the Superbike and Supersport events at the North West 200.

And to complete the line-up, Nick Crowe and Mark Cox will run with the HM Plant colours in the sidecar events.

HM Plant Honda Team Manager Havier Beltran said: “We’ve got an incredibly strong line-up for the roads in 2009 – a very important year for Honda – celebrating its 50th anniversary of road-racing, which began with Honda’s first assault on the Isle of Man TT races.

“John is still the man to beat around the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit, while Steve has proved to be one of the most remarkable newcomers of recent years, surprising many TT regulars with his speed around the course and taking a Supersport win last year.

“Both riders also have enviable reputations around the legendary North West 200 course, with Steve and John taking wins around the nine-mile ‘Triangle’ circuit.

“Nick and Mark have shown their speed by taking two wins this year and we’ll be backing them 100% so they can do the same in 2009.

“We’re also very happy to be continuing our road-racing relationship with Dunlop for 2009.”