Kneen targets podium at 2013 Isle of Man TT
Dan Kneen is targeting his first TT podium finish at the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Manx road racer is once again lining up with the Marks Bloom Racing team for the TT, and has high hopes for the year.
Since becoming the first rider ever to win a hat-trick at the Manx Grand Prix, a feat he achieved in 2008, the Braddan rider has become a regular fixture in the top 10 at the TT. He has also performed well at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, where he became the fastest newcomer in history in 2010, lapping at 129.25mph.
The 25-year-old’s highest place at the TT was 5th in the first Supersport race in 2010, but he intends to take his first podium this year.
Speaking in a film the Marks Bloom Racing team has released via Vimeo, Kneen said:
“I've got my best results in Supersport at the TT, but I'm looking to get in amongst the leaders in the Superstock and Superbike classes at the TT as well this year. I'd love to win a TT one day, but I need to work up to it and I'd be delighted to get on the podium this year.”
It is the fifth consecutive season that Marks Bloom, Chartered Accountants and Insolvency Practitioners in Kingston-upon-Thames, has supplied machinery for Kneen.
He will be racing a Suzuki GSXR600 in the Monster Energy Supersport races, a Suzuki GSXR1000 in the Royal London 360 Superstock race and the same K11 Suzuki GSXR1000 Superbike he rode last year in the Dainese Superbike race.
He'll also campaign the Track Electronics ER6 Kawasaki in the Lightweight TT.
Last year, after a solid 11th in the opening Superbike race, Kneen was holding onto a superb 5th in the first Supersport race and embroiled in a hectic six-man battle for the final podium spot only to suffer a spill exiting Governor’s Bridge when he hit a damp patch at the end of the third lap.
He sustained back injuries which not only ended his race, but also his meeting and meant a two-month spell on the sidelines followed.
Kneen bounced back to record strong top 10 finishes at both the Ulster GP and Macau.
Kneen added:
“Ever since the end of last season, we’ve been working really hard with the bikes to ensure they’re fully prepared from the word go and I can’t wait for my first outing in a couple of weeks’ time.”
“With new machines, we were a bit behind where we wanted to be this time last year and it took me a while to get totally dialled in, but that’s certainly not the case this time around and we should hit the ground running.”
“We’ve improved the Suzukis considerably over the winter months and am in a strong position coming into this season so I’m firmly aiming at the podium places at the TT.”
“The competition will be as tough as always so I know the task ahead, but I’ve proved I can run with the top boys, particularly in the Supersport class, so that’s where I want to be.”
“Contesting the first couple of Thundersport rounds will give me plenty of track time on both the Superbike and Supersport machines so by the time I get to the North West 200, everything will in place for me to be running up at the front from the off.”
Kneen’s preparation for the season can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/60944163, in a video shot by Andy Stewart Productions.