Manxman Dan Kneen has made the move to BE Racing for the 2014 season and will make a concerted attack on the three international road races – the Isle of Man TT, the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.
Riding for the team owned and run by former racer John Burrows, Kneen will have a full assembly of machinery at his disposal including the ex-TAS Suzuki Superbike and a brand new 600cc Honda built to World Supersport specification. Kneen will also have selected outings on Burrows’ Kawasaki Supertwin whilst also retaining the use of the Marks Bloom Charted Accountants/Wemoto 1000cc Suzuki Superstock machine.
The Braddan rider has been hampered in recent times by injury, which affected all of the last three seasons, but he remains one of the brightest young talents in road racing and the triple Manx Grand Prix winner will be looking to get back to the form that saw him challenge for the podium at the TT in both 2011 and 2012. Having lapped at over 127mph in the Superbike category, and over 125mph in the Supersport division, as well as taking six top ten finishes and picking up 13 silver replicas, the move to the new team should see Dan right at the forefront of the results at all three of the UK Internationals.
Marks Bloom, long time sponsors of Kneen, will continue to support him during 2014 and, as well as the aforementioned race meetings, the 26-year old will also contest the Southern 100, Macau Grand Prix and selected Irish National road race and short circuit meetings.
"I'm delighted to be joining John Burrows' team. I feel John and his crew will provide me with everything I need to challenge for international podium finishes and his bikes will be as good as anything around," said Kneen.
"In previous years I've had to take care of all the machine preparation myself but this year I will be able to concentrate solely on the racing, I'm going to have a great opportunity to show what I can do and I'm really looking forward to mixing it up at the front.”
"Top three finishes at the TT are the main aim but I'll be looking for top results too when I come to Ireland. I don't know any of the national circuits but John's experience will be a great help at all the places that are new to me and I'm confident I can put on a good show everywhere, starting at Cookstown. A big thanks to John for putting his faith in me and also to Marks Bloom for their continued support."
