JOHN McGuinness will be competing in 2022 with the Honda Racing team, as he is joined by TT newcomer and four-time NW200 Superbike winner Glenn Irwin.
McPint’s history with the ‘Blade goes way back, with 12 of his 20 Isle of Man TT wins coming aboard the legendary CBR. The move coincides with the 30th anniversary of Honda’s class defining sports bike, which has received mechanical updates for this year's 2022 Fireblade, along with that stunning anniversary colour scheme.
John McGuinness to jump on a Fireblade for 2022 road races!
Speaking of the news, McGuinness said:
“What can I say really, it's like coming back home to the family! I've been in talks for a while with Neil and Harv and it's just something that feels right; it's the 30th anniversary of the Fireblade, I'll be 50 years old and also celebrating my 100th TT start, so it feels like it's meant to be. I've enjoyed a lot of success on the roads with the Honda and worked with Harv back in the day with HM Plant Honda, so I'm looking forward to getting back into the set-up and getting going.
"I had a little go on the Fireblade earlier this year and was impressed with it on-track, so looking forward to getting on the roads and seeing how it goes. It's going to be a special year with everything going on and also just getting back to the North West 200 and the TT and everyone racing there again - I can't wait to get stuck in!”
Joining John in the Honda Racing pit is BSB racer and multi NW200 winner Glenn Irwin, who was down to make his Isle of Man TT debut in 2020 until COVID-19 closed the doors on the event.
He said:
“Finally, I’ll be making my long-awaited TT debut with Honda! We’re now more familiar with the new Fireblade and the team is more familiar; I like to have home comforts as such and continuing with the bike and the same team I think puts us in a better position with frame of mind. We still have no targets set and no expectations for the Isle of Man TT, we’re going there to learn and enjoy. It’s incredible to have someone like John as my teammate on the roads, he’s someone I have looked up to and is probably the second greatest TT rider after another Honda-man Joey!
"To have that opportunity to be able to learn off him, and able to be part of the team, see everything first-hand and to learn off him experiencing the ‘McGuinness-factor’ is something I am really excited about! On the flip side, we go to the North West 200 where we can work together and I think we can realistically set targets there – I would love to achieve Honda’s first international road race win on the new Fireblade at the NW200 and add to my Superbike wins there.
"We’re fully aware we’ve not been there in a few years, but like everyone else, we’ll go, and we’ll do our homework. For sure the Honda team are the best to go road racing with, and BSB, and hopefully we can find out feet during practice and if we’re feeling confident look towards adding to the NW200 wins.”
Between them, John and Glenn will be competing in both Superstock and Superbike at the two events, with the TT scheduled to run from the 28th May to 11th June, and the NW200 from the 10th to the 14th May.
You can catch up with John and Glenn at Motorcycle Live this December, with the two riders heading to the event on Saturday the 11th of December.
To get your tickets to see the guys at the show, click here.
