Belgian ace Weynand in line for TT debut Twenty eight year old Belgian road racer Michael Weynand is the latest top European rider signed up to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT Races this June. Weynand is a rider of considerable ability, who has gained vast experience in the highly competitive European Superstock Championship over the past few years, as well as taking part in selected World Endurance Championship (WEC) events with considerable distinction. This year he will again take part in the WEC riding as team mate to former World Superbike Champion Stefan Mertens. Michael is also one of the leading competitors on the European Pure Road Racing scene, taking victories at Oostend and finishing on the podium twice at Mettet during 2004. Last year he also finished a fine fifth place in a one off ride in the Masters of Endurance Championship at Magny Cours. Speaking about the prospect of riding in the world famous TT Races, Michael commented: “For a long time it has been an ambition for me to take part in the Isle of Man TT Races, but I never really knew how to go about doing it, and I was never in a situation with my other commitments which would allow it. I enjoy the road races in Belgium at places like Mettet and I have been very successful there, so hopefully I will be able to transfer some of that form to the TT. I realise that it is going to be a totally different type of event, but I am looking forward to the challenge of learning the circuit and I can’t wait for June.” TT Team and Rider Liaison Officer Paul Phillips added: “Michael is another guy who was very keen to take part in the TT, and who has therefore been very easy to deal with. He is an extremely talented rider who at twenty eight could become a top TT rider in the years to come. His achievements in European Superstock where he was regularly battling at the front of the field, and in World Endurance are proof of that and that added to his excellent results in the road races across Europe make him an ideal candidate for the Isle of Man TT Races.” David Cretney MHK, Minister for the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Chairman of the TT Co-ordinating Committee said: “It is great news to be adding another top continental rider to the list of entries received by the Manx Motor Cycle Club for this years TT Races. I think that some people thought that the changes to the TT on an organisational level would see the number of foreign competitors taking part in the event, start to dwindle. But that hasn’t been the case, and what we have actually seen happen, is an increase top quality riders from the continent and beyond, entering the TT for 2005.”