BMW motorsport director Marc Bongers is delighted at the return of Ian Hutchinson to the fold, describing the Bingley Bullet as a ‘legend’.

Hutchinson signed for Philip Neill’s Synetiq BMW team for the next available roads season but has missed out on this year’s North West 200 and TT due to the Covid19 pandemic.

“I am delighted to have Ian back in the family. He has enjoyed great success with us in the past,” said Bongers.

“We would obviously have liked this announcement to have been a little more spectacular, and to have had Ian in his leathers on the bike and competing in the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT. However, we will have to put that on hold for now.”

“He is a legend,. I experienced that for myself for the first time in Macau in 2013. The award ceremony took place on the Sunday evening. First to receive their trophies were all the car drivers.

They all came up to the podium in their smart-casual outfits and were politely applauded. Then came the motorcyclists, and so on, until Ian Hutchinson was called up to receive his trophy.

He was sitting relatively far back in that big hall, and still was not particularly quick on his feet. He was given a standing ovation – all the way, as he slowly made his way to the podium and back – from every person, every team, whether automobile or motorbike, and regardless of brand. Even when I tell the story now, so many years later, it still gives me goosebumps.”