Hutchinson signs with new BSB team FFX Yamaha

IAN Hutchinson has signed with the brand new FFX Yamaha team for their debut season as a satellite Yamaha team in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. The team is expected to share technical knowledge with Shaun Muir Racing (SMR).

This will be Hutchinson's first time contesting a full season in the British Superbike Championship despite being one of the world's most successful road racing contenders after becoming the first rider to win five Isle of Man TT races in a week during 2010.

Due to a crash at Silverstone in 2010 the Bingley rider broke both his tibia and fibula. In 2012, Hutchinson made the decision to step down from motorcycle racing to concentrate on fully recovering from this injury and in November last year Hutchinson made a spectacular return to racing by winning the Macau Grand Prix on-board the Milwaukee Yamaha. 

Hutchinson said: "I have been aiming to race in the Championship for several years and I had the chance a few seasons ago but I had setbacks with my injury so this feels like a big opportunity for me. This whole season means a lot to me personally because I have done a couple of rounds before but never a whole Championship and I am excited that we have the chance to learn and progress throughout the year.

"MCE BSB is the highest level of racing in Britain and I have my own targets and ambitions but I am going to take it as it comes because we know we have a well-developed bike with the Yamaha and that should make my first season an easier scenario.

"I have been building on making my return to racing and that has made me more determined for sure. I have learnt a lot in the past three years and have matured as a rider although I wasn't racing as much so I want to make this count. I want to thank everyone involved with the FFX Yamaha team and the project for giving me this chance."

Hutchinson was due to make a return to road racing full time in 2014 particularly the Isle of Man TT. Unfortunately due to technical rule changes the main sponsor Milwaukee Power Tools have parted company with Shaun Muir's Yamaha team for the TT event and therefore Hutchinson and team-mate Josh Brookes are unlikely to compete.