Shand bounces back

Scot Les Shand is determined to bounce back from an injury-hit 2006 and has set up his own team with a full complement of machinery for an assault on the TT.

This includes a Honda for the Superbike races and a pair of Yamahas for the supersport and superstock campaign.

Shand was part of the Uel Duncan Racing set up last season. He finished second to Bruce Antey in the North West 200 600 race but then crashed in the superstock event, breaking his collarbone.

The injury wrecked his chances at the Isle of Man TT and with the Honda Fireblade not competitive at British Superstock level, his short circuit season was also hit hard.

However, a strong debut at the Ulster GP and a fine ride at the Macau GP went a long way to recharging the batteries and got him somewhere close to his previous high levels.

Shand said: “Last year was most definitely a tough season for me so I’ve pretty much gone back to basics for this year in order to get back to the sharp end again.”

The 29-year-old has been working extremely hard over the winter months putting together his own team with backing from Leeds Parcel Company, Barron Transport Services will and McKinstry Skip Hire.

“Things just didn’t work out for me last season for various reasons so I’ve made the decision to run my own team once more and, thanks to all my sponsors, I’m in a position to do just that.

“It’s going to mean a lot of hard work as we’re a very small team but I seem to ride better when I’m in control of everything and have done all the preparation.

“I’m confident that the bikes we have are going to be very competitive and although 2007 is going to be an incredibly tough year, both on the circuits and on the roads, I’m mega determined to be right in the middle of the action.

And he added: “I’m confident that I am can do just that and will be aiming for the best possible result at each and every meeting.”