Source: Supplied.

Honda Racing has made headlines with the signing of Guy Martin to contest the 2017 Isle of Man TT alongside returning IoM legend John McGuinness aboard the all-new CBR1000RR SP2.

With 15 TT podiums to his credit and after a year away from the roads, Martin remains in search of a maiden victory at the Isle of Man. The duo have also been signed for the North West 200.

“Neil [Tuxworth] has been talking to me for a while about joining the team, but I had a lot of thinking to do before I committed and said yes,” Martin said. “I spent a lot of time on my pushbike to and from work, thinking about what to do.

“I didn’t want to grow old regretting not giving the Honda a go and the more time passes since making the decision, the more time I’ve thought it is the right decision. Honda is a great team and the Fireblade has always been a weapon on the roads, so with the new bike, I‘m keen to give it a go.

“We’ve got a busy testing schedule coming up and I’ve put some other stuff off to make time. John is the man, I’ve got massive respect for him and I’m looking forward to racing on the Fireblade against him.”

McGuinness – a 23-time race-winner at the TT – said it will be an important year for Honda Racing with the new bike: “I’m back with Honda for another year, really I’m part of the family, and I can’t wait to see what the new Fireblade SP2 can do! I know the old model like the back of my hand and have taken a lot of my TT wins with the old girl, so I can’t wait to get out on track and try the new machine out.

“I have a good feeling about this year and think we have a really good package to show that we mean business. I, of course, would like another TT win and I would quite like my lap record back! I always say when it’s broken that the lads are just borrowing it and I hope this year that this is the case.

“I am sad to say bye to the old Fireblade, I have a lot of history and good memories with that bike, but testing the new model can’t come soon enough and neither can the race season. I’m excited to have Guy as my new teammate, we’ve enjoyed many a racing battle over the years and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can both do.”

The all-new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 – a road-legal homologation special based on the Fireblade SP that is specifically developed for racing and features a revised cylinder head with larger valve sizes and lightweight Marchesini wheels – will make its road racing debut at the North West 200 in May.