TT star Ian Hutchinson has been ruled out of competing in this year's race and the Northwest 200 after a specialist yesterday said his recovery had been slower than expected.
The Bingley man, who won all five races at last year's TT, was due to race for Shaun Muir's Swan Yamaha squad at the two-week fesitval, which kicks off on May 30. The cage on Hutchinson's badly broken leg will remain there for another couple of weeks. He had planned to make a comeback for Swan Yamaha this weekend at Croft but will now make a return to action later in the season.
Hutchinson will be appearing on the Isle of Man in an Arai Parade Lap with Moto GP legend Mick Doohan and current Moto GP aces Nicky Hayden and Cal Crutchlow.
“I’m gutted not to be able to compete at the TT Races this year. I’ve done everything I could to be there but I’ve just run out of time. I have to listen to the advice of the surgeon and think of my long-term fitness. This has only made me more determined to get back on the bike and return to racing later this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Yamaha and Shaun Muir for being so supportive and I’m looking forward to the chance to repay them," he said.
It is not yet known whether Hutchinson will be replaced by the team.
