Roads: Sheils joins Penz13 BMW for 2018 TT

Derek Sheils, multiple Irish road racing champion, will join the Penz13 BMW team for the 2018 Isle of Man TT.

The move comes after Riko Penzkofer’s squad enjoyed their best ever TT races in 2017 with Manxman Dan Kneen scoring the team their first podium finish, while Michael Rutter, Danny Webb and Alessandro Polita achieved multiple race wins and podiums elsewhere.

With Kneen moving on to the factory-backed Tyco BMW squad following the departure of Ian Hutchinson, Sheils assumes the Manxman’s spot for next year’s TT, as well as the Imatranajo races in Finland, the Joey Dunlop Open in Frohburg and the Macau Grand Prix.

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He’s no stranger to the squad, having stood in for an ill Dan Kneen at the Joey Dunlop Open this year.

“I am grateful for the support of John Burrows so far, giving me the opportunity to sign for the Penz13 team for the TT,” Sheils said. “I enjoyed my stand-in race in Frohburg last September and felt that the BMW is the right bike to step up into the world’s top league of road racers. I quickly got the grip with the electronics that come along with the HP4 and I was surprised how well advanced their electronic suspension from Tractive Suspension actually is. I am obviously aiming high and hope to finish all the TT Races within the Top ten but also taking some race victories over in Europe.”

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