Northamptonshire road racer James McBride will join the Phase One squad for its 2009 pure roads programme, and will also act as team test and spare rider for its world endurance schedule.
McBride, who has now fully recovered from his crash at last year’s TT, will campaign the NorthWest 200 and Isle of Man races for the team, and may also run under his own colours at other selected races.
"I will be testing the new Yamaha R1 with the team’s official WEC squad at all their tests from February onwards, and a strong possibility to join the team at WEC for the year as their No3/spare rider, should there be any complications throughout practice and qualifying with the professionally paid first two riders," said McBride.
"I was very happy with that offer as I get to gain all that track time on the bike whether or not I race because I have to complete practice and the qualifying sessions to be considered or chosen."
