Hutchinson signs for Swan Yamaha

Ian Hutchinson has signed a two-year deal to ride for Swan Yamaha in the major international road races and selected rounds of the British Supersport series.

Hutchy is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered at Silverstone last year but is hoping to be ready to race again by April.

And Hutchinson – who won a record-breaking five solo TTs in a week last year – was keen to dispel any doubts about his fitness and the capabilities of the R1 on the roads.

He said: “Shaun (Muir – team owner) has given me the best boost to my rehab. He’s accepting that the start of this partnership might not be rosy but he knows I’ve not forgotten how to ride a bike.

“And as far as the R1 is concerned, the bike did 206mph through the sped trap at Monza. At the TT we go 190mph. It’s been on pole for countless races. Won races and championships in WSB and BSB.

“I think as a TT bike, the world superbike spec is probably too much but we’ll pick the best bits and go with that.”

For the full story behind Hutchinson’s rehabilitation – and his reasons for switching to Yamaha read this week’s issue of MCN on sale today (Wednesday, January 26).