Swan unveil Hill and Hutchinson for BSB (From The Northern Echo)

Swan unveil Hill and Hutchinson for BSB

8:00am Thursday 22nd December 2011 in Motorsport News By Matt Westcott

SWAN Yamaha have set their stall out to defend their British Superbike Championship title by pairing victor Tommy Hill with Isle of Man TT record breaker Ian Hutchinson.

The deal was confirmed by Guisborough-based Shaun Muir Racing yesterday and both riders say they are excited for the future.

Hutchinson is a record-breaking five-time Isle of Man TT winner and will be embarking on his first full season in the BSB after a dramatic comeback from a broken tibia and fibula which required several operations to save his leg.

He had been sidelined since the crash at the penultimate round of the 2010 season before making his comeback at the Macau Grand Prix last month where he celebrated a podium finish.

Hill said: "At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package.

"I have a lot of fans in BSB and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the No.1 plate is something to get excited about."

Hutchinson admitted this was going to be a big year for him.

"I am glad that I had the opportunity to race at the end of this year as I have always had faith in my own ability, but I just needed to prove to any doubters that I could still race," he said. "I have wanted to race in BSB for several years, but the right opportunity has never been there and that makes 2012 a big year for me.

"I am over my injury now - I currently still use the right-hand gear shift that the team adapted for me to run at Macau, but it is not a concern.

"The team have got it working perfectly for me so I just feel ready to get out testing as soon as possible.

"I think the injury and the year just watching from the sidelines has definitely made me want it more - I want to prove that I can still be successful and I am determined to show that."