Team109 have completed their line-up for the 2018 season, announcing the return of Kevin Keyes in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship alongside a two rider team in the new Junior Supersport class. The ambitious expansion into the Supersport class will feature reigning Irish and Masters Supersport Cup and Production Twin champion, Eunan McGlinchey and reigning Irish and Masters Aprilia 125 champion, Brendan Glover, onboard Kawasaki machinery.
Team109 was founded in memory of former Irish racer Sean Hurley to give young riders from Ireland an opportunity to showcase their talent in the British Championship. The team was launched in 2015 with a single rider team in the KTM RC Cup class in its first two seasons of competition, before adding the Superstock class to their line-up. Now, in just their fourth season competing in the British Championship, this will be the first campaign with a three rider squad.
Keyes will make a return to action in the Superstock 600 class onboard the Kawasaki following a season of consistent finishes at the end of the season including a fifth place finish at Oulton Park, in addition to a top ten finish at the final round at Brands Hatch.
Keyes said: “I’m so happy to be back in the British Championship once again in 2018, and I am also very excited to be coming back with Team109. I’m really looking forward to getting back on my Team109 Kawasaki and pushing as hard as I can to further the progress I made this year. I have to say a huge thanks to both David Hurley and Paul Tobin for giving me the opportunity again, and I hope I can do them proud.”
The new Junior Supersport class will see both McGlinchey and Glover make their series debuts in the British Championship arena, after success back home in Ireland.
McGlinchey said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to ride for Team109. I had a really good year racing at home winning the Supersport Cup and Production Twin Championships. I can’t thank everyone at Team109 and all of their sponsors enough for giving me this opportunity. Racing in the British Championship is something I am really looking forward to, and hopefully I can repay the team for their belief in me by getting them some good results, and if all goes well hopefully try and win.”
Glover added: “I’m so happy to be onboard with Team109 for next season, it’s a great team and I hope I can achieve some good results for them next season. Racing in the 125 class in Ireland for two years really helped me develop and progress, and I feel going over to the BSB paddock at such a young age, with such a good team behind me will also help me get better.
“The Junior Supersport class is going to be tough, I will be up against a lot of good riders who will also be a lot older than me, but I’m confident I can improve throughout the year and hopefully get some good results for the team.”
The contenders also have the support of Be Wiser Ducati rider Glenn Irwin, who remains the team ambassador for the forthcoming season, continuing his role of mentoring the team’s young riders.
Irwin said: “It’s great for me to be involved with Team109. I believe 2018 is going to be a huge year for the team, the three pronged attack they have put together for this year includes some of the best young riders from all over Ireland and I feel they will bring a lot of success to the team given the time and support, which they are sure to get from this team.”
Team Owner Dave Hurley commented: “I am absolutely delighted with the three riders we have for next season and I believe we have some of the very best young riders in the country. I think we have a strong team across the board with Brendan being an excellent young prospect for the future, and between Kevin and Eunan I think we could potentially have two title challengers in their respective classes for next season. To do what we have done in just the space of four years is a testament to all the lads within the team.”
Words and images courtesy of Team 109
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