The Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles team has obtained the services of Ian Hutchinson for the 2024 Isle of Man TT races, as the 44-year-old makes his return to racing.
Hutchinson will rejoin the Padgett’s team, with which he famously became the first - and still the only - rider to win five solo TTs in one week back in 2010. He spent 2023 on the sidelines, albeit contracted to the TAS Racing BMW squad, due to the ACU revoking his racing licence for 12 months following a stroke the rider suffered early in 2023.
This year, Hutchinson will compete in both 1,000cc classes - Superstock and Superbike (including the Senior TT) - with the updated-for-2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, and the Supersport class with the Honda CBR600RR.
In a way, Hutchinson’s move to Padgett’s can be viewed as a straight swap, as Davey Todd has travelled the same road but in the opposite direction to Hutchinson - moving from Padgett’s to TAS Racing for 2024.
Ian Hutchinson: “I’m really pleased to be back with Clive and the team. I think that the way that I work and the team works just fits right. Clive puts together a bike you know you can get on and ride fast straightaway. With injuries, COVID and missing last year, I don’t feel as though I’ve had a good run at the TT since 2017 and so it’s ideal to be with the team that can let me get the laps which is what I need.
“We’ve already been out testing in Spain and we’re back out again to Portugal and Spain in the next few weeks, plus we’ve plenty more track time in the run-up to TT so I’m really looking forward to what 2024 can bring.”
Clive Padgett, Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Team Principal: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Ian back into the Padgett’s racing family. We’ve a long, enjoyable and highly successful relationship that goes back many, many years and it’s an honour to be back working together again across all the classes.
“He’s had one hell of a journey since that incredible year in 2010, but there is no denying the man’s determination and I don’t think you can ever rule him out of getting a top finish. I truly believe in him but regardless of the results, I think having him back with the team is just a fantastic story for the sport and for the TT.”
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