COOKSTOWN DUNLOP SECOND ON TYCO BMW
‘Hopefully I can just chip away during practice week at the TT’
Ian Hutchinson is poised to make a decision on whether he’ll race at the TT over the next few weeks as he continues the fight to be fit. While the Bingley Bullet attended the Honda Racing squad’s annual test at Castle Combe last week, he was once again unable to ride as the external fixator cage remains attached to his broken leg. However, the cage was expected to come off this week and if that’s successful, the plan is for Hutchinson to ride several times ahead of the North West 200 before making a decision on whether he’ll be fit enough to compete on the Island. “I’ve unofficially made the end of April the cut-off point,” he said. “That will give me a chance to do some riding then hopefully do the North West 200 and, weather dependent, you get plenty of riding done there at high speed on the road. That’s pretty much all I need. Hopefully then I can just chip away during practice week on the Isle of Man and make more progress before the races start.”
Steve Mercer rode in place of Hutchinson at last week’s test after being confirmed as Honda’s reserve rider for the 2018 season.
It has also been confirmed that long-time race boss Neil Tuxworth will return to the squad for the 2018 roads season in the role of Deputy Team Manager, filling in for new boss Jonny Twelvetrees when road races clash with the Endurance World Championship.