2013 Isle of Man TT
The Ice Valley by Motorsave team are set for their biggest ever assault on the Isle of Man TT Races fueled by Monster Energy, with a four-rider line-up for the 2013 event.
Team owner Paul Shoesmith will field a truly International squad, which will feature himself, fellow English rider and best newcomer of 2011 Simon Andrews, Hungarian regular Sandor Bitter and exciting Dutch newcomer Branko Srdanov. The quartet will use a variety of machinery for the various classes including the BMW 1000RR, Yamaha YZF-R6 and Honda CBR600RR.
Andrews will make his return to the Mountain Course after suffering serious injuries in a spill at the Graham Memorial in the opening Superbike race and will ride a Honda CBR600RR for the team in the two Monster Energy Supersport Races.
Shoesmith, meanwhile, will campaign a Yamaha in the Monster Energy Supersport Races along with a BMW1000RR in the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360º Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT Races where he’ll be looking to break the 125mph barrier for the first time and he’ll be joined in the three 1000cc events by Bitter who’ll be making his fifth TT appearance.
At just 24 years of age, Srdanov is one of the sports brightest road racing talents and will arrive on the Island as the reigning International Road Racing Champion having taken the 2012 Superbike title by two points from previous holder Didier Grams.
One of his most impressive performances came at the Terlicko circuit in the Czech republic where he took a double in the IRRC Superbike class plus the win in the Supersport event to pick up the ‘Man of the Meeting’ award.
Riding the B&S Racing BMW, a further race win was taken at Chimay with podiums added at Schleiz, Hengelo and Frohburg; indeed, he finished on the podium in all ten of the races held during the 2012 season.
Srdanov has also been a regular in the German IDM Superbike Championship whilst 2012 saw him contest the Macau Grand Prix where he had his first ride on the Ice Valley by Motorsave BMW going on to finish in a fine 13th place, ahead of a number of established riders including Mark Miller, David Johnson and Rico Penzkofer. Like Shoesmith and Bitter, he’ll ride a BMW S1000RR and will contest the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360º Superstock and PokerStars Senior Races.
Srdanov was on the Isle of Man last week getting his first look at the track with TT Rider Liaison Officers John Barton and Richard Quayle and commented: “The Mountain Course is everything I expected and more. It’s a stunning course with lots of different challenges. I’ve already spent lots of time learning the course but it was a real eye opener seeing it first hand and it’s been really useful spending time with Johnny and Richard getting their advice.”
Paul Phillips (TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government) says: “Branko is a young and exciting talent. He’s already performed well on a number of road circuits which will stand him in good stead but he’s already made an impression on everyone associated with the TT with his professional approach.
“Ice Valley by Motorsave BMW are a well established part of the TT paddock now and it is a great team for him to make his debut with. They have a number of talented and experienced riders representing them this year and Branko will be able to learn a lot from his teammates.”
