Dan Kneen handed Padgetts lifeline

Manxman Dan Kneen has been handed a lifeline for his 2015 season after signing to ride for Padgetts Honda at the international road races. Kneen was originally scheduled to ride for Northern Irish based Millsport Suzuki until the deal fell apart last month leaving him without a bike.

Kneen, who took his maiden international road race win last season at the Ulster Grand Prix as well as only missing out on the 130mph club at the TT with a 129.360mph lap, will ride for the Yorkshire team in superbike, supersport and superstock classes.

Speaking at the Isle of Man TT press launch on Wednesday, Kneen commented: “I’ve gone from having nothing to, to securing a ride with one of the best teams in the paddock in a short space of time. I can’t thank Clive enough for giving me this opportunity and I am really excited about getting the chance to work with him and his crew. It’s one of those teams that you always look at when you are coming through the ranks, hoping that one day you might get the chance to ride for them, and my chance has come and I intend to take it with both hands.”

Team boss Clive Padgett added: “We are delighted to be working with Dan Kneen in 2015. He is a rider we have long admired and who we feel has shown great potential, often without the chance to really show what he is capable of. We see this as the start of what will hopefully turn into a long relationship and we want to be part of Dan realising his potential over the next few years.”