Manx roads specialist Dan Kneen has switched from Padgett’s to Mar-Train Yamaha for his 2016 season and he will run YZF-R6 and YZF-R1M machines at three International road races plus other selected events which will be confirmed at a later date.

Kneen burst onto the road racing scene in 2008 when he became the first newcomer to win three races in a week at the Manx Grand Prix, since then the Douglas man has notched up a dozen top ten finishes at the TT including a fifth place in the 2010 supersport race.

2014 was undoubtedly Kneen’s best season however winning the Ulster and Irish Superbike championships as well as scoring his maiden International victory at the Ulster Grand Prix.

“I just wish it was the beginning of the season now, I’ve spoken to Tim before but the time is right now and hopefully it will be a perfect match for us. The bikes are definitely good enough for the job, I had my best ever TT result on an R6 Yamaha and the R1 is only going to get better and better,” said the Braddan rider.

“I get on really well with the guys in the team as well, I met up with Andy Jamison last week and we seem to be on the same wavelength which is really positive. It’s also great to be working with Yamaha UK as I know how closely they work with the team, it’s just a waiting game now to get to Spain testing and then on to what should be a great year.”