Kneen and Mar-Train to miss 2016 TT

The Mar-Train Yamaha team will sit out of the 2016 Isle of Man TT with rider Dan Kneen declared unfit to race.

The Manxman suffered a broken right arm in a mountain bike crash just before this year’s North West 200, ruling him out of action at the Triangle circuit but he had hoped, with intensive physiotherapy and frequent trips to a hyperbaric chamber, he’d be cleared to return for the TT.

However, the event’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gruff Evans has categorically ruled out a return by placing a medical stop on Kneen for the duration of the TT.

 “I have seen Dan today regarding the injuries to his right upper arm and his left wrist,” said Dr Evans. “I have also had a chance to get the opinion of his Orthopaedic Surgeon as well as review the X-ray results. Whilst he is making good progress, I am afraid to say that at this time he is still not fit to race, and as such he will be on a Medical Stop for the duration of TT 2016.”

Dan Kneen said: “I have tried everything possible to get myself fit again for the TT but unfortunately time is just not on our side. I had kept positive right up until today that I would make it but the reality is it is just too soon. I can only apologise to the team, YMUK and all my personal sponsors, to miss out on the TT is especially hard to take as a Manx man as I am sure everyone can appreciate. Everything was going perfectly up until the injury, the bikes were superb and I really had a chance of a result but it just wasn’t meant to be. My focus now is on completing my recovery and bouncing back at the Southern 100 to try and repay the team for the work they have put in. I would just like to thank my physio Ruth Cooil and all the staff at the hyperbaric chamber on the Isle of Man for doing everything they could to try and get me back on the bikes they have been superb.”

Mar-Trains Tim Martin added: “It is difficult to accept at the minute, I am gutted for Dan on a personal level as I think he would have had a great. TT and possibly scored his first podium. As a team we have been working towards this year’s TT since we did the deal with Yamaha UK eighteen months ago so to have to sit the event out is quite simply a disaster. For Yamaha UK this should have been the showcase for how far we have come and how competitive the YZF-R1M now is so to not be represented at the most famous race in the world is a major blow. I fully respect the decision of Dr Evans though, the TT is one of the most gruelling motorcycle events there is with enormous physical demands on the riders over a two week period. To go into the event injured would be irresponsible and potentially very dangerous so it is the correct decision no matter how disappointing. All we can do now is try to bounce back at our remaining events beginning with the Southern 100 in July. I would like to wish the TT organisers every success with this year’s event and I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable two weeks.”