Guy Martin Out of 2015 IOM TT; Preps for Mountain Bike Race
One of the Isle of Man TT’s most celebrated racers – Guy Martin – won’t be racing at this year’s event. Not only at the IOM TT, but also the North West 200 and all races ahead of the TT. But why?
Martin, who competed for TYCO BMW aboard the S1000RR, will take a break from international road racing as he preps for the Tour Divide mountain bike race. So far the sole rider on the TYCO BMW S1000RR for the North West 200 in May and the Isle of Man TT in June is 11-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson.
Writing on his personal blog, the 15-time Isle of Man TT podium finisher says: “I fancy a change of scenery. I’ve been racing the TT for 11 years. All I’ve really done since I was 18, except the trucks, is race motorbikes and my brain needs something else. Every year’s the same: testing, racing, then start again.
“It brought it home to me when I was lying in hospital after the Ulster Grand Prix crash. I’ve been on about the Tour Divide, the toughest pushbike race in the world, for three years and I thought I’ll blink and next thing I’ll be 45, so I’m going to do it this year. I like breaking myself mentally and the Tour Divide will be tough, but it’s same time at TT, so that’s forced me to make a choice.
“I’m not done with motorbikes. I’m attempting the Wall of Death record in the spring and having a go at the land speed record in the summer and if I do race on the roads it will be with TAS.
“After the Tour Divide I might never want to see a pushbike again – or never want to go road racing again, I don’t know. But I do know Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness are still racing the TT, and they’ve got a few years on me, so maybe I’ll come back next year. Or maybe I’ll find something else interesting to do. I’ve got more interests than just motorbikes and I just think let’s bloody have ‘em.”
Much changed for Martin after crashing at August 2015’s Ulster Grand Prix Dundrod 150 superbike race. During the wreck (shown below) Martin hit the safety barrier, breaking his back, sternum, several ribs and one hand.
The Isle of Man TT has grown much since Martin’s presence there. Though he won’t be racing, he will surely be a huge ambassador, which will help the even grow even further.
We wish Martin the best of luck at the Tour Divide, and hope to see him back on the international road racing scene following the Tour Divide.
