Valvoline Padgett's signs Dan Kneen for TT 2015
Clive Padgett rescues Dan Kneen's 2015 season after he was left without a ride
VALVOLINE Padgett's has signed Dan Kneen for the 2015 Isle of Man TT after he was left without a ride.
Kneen was due to line-up on Glencrutchery Road with Millsport Suzuki until the team unexpectedly pulled out in January, leaving the Manxman without a ride.
The 27-year-old will now contest the Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Senior Isle of Man TT races with Valvoline Racing, alongside his new team-mates Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald.
After looking like he might be without a ride for the 2015 season, Kneen now has one of the TT's greatest ever teams behind him.
Kneen said: 'I’ve gone from having nothing to securing a ride with one of the best teams in the paddock in a short space of time. I can’t thank Clive enough for giving me this opportunity and I am really excited about getting the chance to work with him and his crew.
'It’s one of those teams that you always look at when you are coming through the ranks, hoping that one day you might get the chance to ride for them, and my chance has come and I intend to take it with both hands.'
Kneen dominated the Irish road race Superbike championship last year and is a regular top-10 finisher at the TT. His best finish was fifth place in the first Supersport race of 2010. He has nine top-10 finishes along with 18 silver and four bronze replicas from his 28 starts.
In 2014, Kneen recorded his best ever lap of the Mountain Course, at 129.360mph, placing him 17th on the all-time fastest list of riders.
Valvoine Racing by Padgetts Team Manager, Clive Padgett, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Dan Kneen in 2015. He is a rider we have long admired and who we feel has shown great potential, often without the chance to really show what he is capable of.
'We see this as the start of what will hopefully turn into a long relationship and we want to be part of Dan realising his potential over the next few years.'
In addition to the TT, Kneen is also set to contest the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix with the Valvoline Racing squad, along with selected rounds in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Championship.
