2011 Isle of Man TT
The man who won five races during the 2010 Isle of Man TT, Ian Hutchinson, will not be fit to compete in this year’s IOMTT race, his team Shaun Muir Racing Yamaha reported Wednesday.
Hutchinson is still recovering from his first-lap crash at Silverstone that occurred during the British Supersport race in September, 2010.
During the motorcycle wreck, Hutchinson, 31, of Bingley in Yorkshire, sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and fibia and to date has undergone 16 operations and skin grafts.
Ian Hutchinson (SMR Yamaha) says: "I’m gutted not to be able to compete at the TT Races this year. I’ve done everything I could to be there but I’ve just run out of time. I have to listen to the advice of the surgeon and think of my long-term fitness.
"This has only made me more determined to get back on the bike and return to racing later this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Yamaha and Shaun Muir for being so supportive and I’m looking forward to the chance to repay them."
When Hutchinson joined SMR Yamaha this past January, he was hoping to emulate his 2010 Isle of Man TT success, and add to his eight TT wins overall.
SMR says Hutchinson will now target a return to the track in BSB Supersport later in the season although he will be appearing on the Isle of Man in an Arai Parade Lap with Moto GP legend Mick Doohan and current MotoGP aces Nicky Hayden and Cal Crutchlow.
SMR says Hutchinson’s unconventional route to fitness included strapping water bottles to his leg and lifting it while he lay in his hospital bed to maintain his leg muscles and he also cycled extensively with a protective metal cage on the injured left leg.
Shaun Muir (Team Boss) says: "Everyone at Yamaha is really disappointed for Ian who has worked so hard to get back to fitness but we have always said that this is a two year deal and we look forward to seeing him return to the TT Races in 2012."
