Ian Hutchinson and Padgett’s of Batley have today announced that they will be contesting the 2009 International road race meetings together, namely the North West 200, the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix. The 2007 Junior TT winner will campaign Honda machinery for the Yorkshire motorcycle dealers and is firmly intent on adding to his tally of International race wins. The news ends weeks of speculation over Hutchinson’s future and ensures all of the leading road racers have now finalised their plans for the season ahead. The 29-year old will have brand new 600cc Supersport and 1000cc Superstock machines at his disposal for the respective classes whilst he will use the same Honda Fireblade that John McGuinness took to victory in last year’s Senior TT, for the Superbike classes. The machine will be upgraded to 2009-spec with the team using Dunlop rubber in all 3 classes giving him every chance of victory at the International road races. Hutchinson has also secured a personal sponsorship deal with BikeDevil.Net which will see him carry their logos on both his helmet and leathers whilst a new website will be launched soon featuring a variety of information including full race reports and a regular blog. Yet to secure a ride for the British Championship, Hutchinson is delighted to have joined forces with Padgett’s for his road racing campaign and commented: “I’m delighted to have joined Clive’s team for 2009 and everything is now in place for me to challenge for the race wins again at the International road races. I’d secured a ride before heading off to Macau but when I got back it all fell through so I spoke to Clive just before Christmas and he has now given me the perfect set-up, practically identical to what I had in 2007, so I can’t wait to get started. We’ve known each other for a long time and having seen him work with John for the last two years I know no stone will be left unturned and he will give me everything I need to run at the front.” “I hope to build on my success at the TT and I’m firmly focused on the year ahead. I’m pleased to be associated with Bike Devil and Dunlop tyres again after a successful year with them both in 2007 and although I’ve yet to secure a ride in the British Championship, my immediate focus is on the North West 200 and TT. I’m training hard and have a full schedule of pre-season testing planned, alongside the other Honda riders’ and it’s a superb deal for me.” Team manager Clive Padgett added: “Our philosophy has always been to simply go road racing and when Hutchy was without a ride, we were only too happy to offer him a package for the 2009 International road races. We’ve supplied him in the past with Superstock bikes and have always enjoyed a good relationship so it’s great to officially welcome him in to the team. We’ll give him everything he needs to succeed and we’re all looking forward to a successful season of racing in 2009.” The team will head to the Spanish circuits of Almeria and Guadix in March for a full six days of testing whilst Hutchinson will also participate fully in the Dunlop tyre tests at Castle Combe in April. Meanwhile, the Padgett’s team will also run John McGuinness and Steve Plater in the Superstock TT race thus ensuring there are 3 riders in their familiar rainbow colours.