Keith, 38, will partner the legendary 15-times TT winner John McGuinness, to field the two HM Plant Honda Fireblades in the Superbike and Senior TT races - a machine and races Keith is familiar with having ridden Honda Superbikes at the TT since his debut on the Island in 2007. That year saw Keith take a creditable twelfth place as his best race finish in the Supersport class and also, become the second fastest newcomer ever behind Steve Plater, with a lap of 124.856mph in the Senior. On only his second visit to the Island in 2008, Keith secured his first podium by taking third place in the first Supersport race. He impressively repeated this in 2009 and also added to his TT podium tally with another third place finish in the Superstock race. Keith’s determination and talent as a road racer was further displayed at last week’s North West 200, where he won the Superstock race, finished second in the Supersport race and took fourth and sixth places in the Superbike races, riding only his Superstock machine!

These results are even more impressive given that this was the first time Keith had ridden a racing motorcycle since September 2009 and also, only recently recovered from back and neck injuries sustained at the end of the 2009 season. The Scot will ride for the HM Plant Honda team in the Superbike and Senior TT races as #5, but will also compete in both Supersport TT races on a privately entered Honda CBR600RR. Keith commented, “It’s all a bit surreal but I feel incredibly proud and privileged to have been asked by the HM Plant Honda team to ride for them at the TT and also, stand in for such an incredible rider as Steve. When the team called me I was more surprised than anything and it goes to show how you can never predict anything and how life and fortune can change so quickly.

Two weekends ago I was stuck in Italy due to cancelled flights and wasn’t sure I was even going to able to make it to the NW200 to compete, and now I have one of the most sought after rides in the paddock! “I couldn’t be happier and I’m excited to be going to the TT with such a successful and professional team as HM Plant Honda. It’s obviously not the ideal way I would have wanted to get this ride as Steve is a good friend of mine and I’d rather he was not injured and able to complete, but I want to thank the team and Honda for showing this faith in me, which I aim to try and repay by just doing my best and trying to secure some strong results.

The HM Plant Honda Fireblade is arguably the best bike out there and I’m really looking forward to getting out in Practice, just enjoying myself and also riding the best I can for myself, Honda, the team, their sponsors and the fans.” Manager of Honda (UK) Racing, Neil Tuxworth commented, “We are very pleased that Keith will be riding for HM Plant Honda in this year’s TT Superbike races. When it became evident that Steve would not be able to compete we had calls from a number of riders, but there were a number of factors to take into consideration in selecting the best rider to stand in for Steve. We have complete confidence in Keith’s ability and hunger to perform at the TT, represent Honda and, his road racing experience on Honda machinery and Dunlop tyres is also an advantage.

Keith and John have an excellent relationship and camaraderie and team-spirit are so important at an event like the TT. Keith will not have the opportunity to test the Superbike before the first practice session so there will be some set-up work to do initially, but that shouldn’t hinder progress too much.. In an ideal would we would love for Steve to have been able to take his place on the grid, but we believe that we have the best rider in Keith to replace him.” Steve Plater returned back home to Lincolnshire on Monday having left hospital in Londonderry after an operation on his arm, with that now healing well. However Steve has been experiencing some pain in his shoulder and chest and so will be going back into hospital this afternoon for further x-rays and monitoring to try and establish the cause.

Steve commented, “My arm is feeling ok and is not causing me pain at all really, it’s just other parts of my body! I’ve spoken to a great consultant close to home who operated on my other arm back in 2004 and we agreed that it makes sense for me to go back into hospital for a few days for some scans and monitoring to fully understand what’s causing the pain in the upper part of my body. We suspect it may be a bit of compression in my neck but my priority is finding out what’s causing the pain, working to fix any injury there may be and then getting fit for riding again as soon as possible to try and either keep, or regain, my lead in the British Superstock Championship.

My plan is to be at the TT with the team and I’ll be helping out in any way I can, but also want to spend time with race goers in the paddock, maybe be of some benefit with the television commentary and also take part in our ‘off-track’ activities for the team, our sponsors and Honda. “For sure I’m still gutted to not be able to compete, but I’m pleased it’s Keith who’ll be taking my place as he’s a great rider and good guy and I am sure will do the ride justice. Keith and I started at the TT at the same time in 2007 and he’s been knocking at the door behind me and going from strength to strength so I’m sure with the best team in the paddock in HM Plant Honda and, on the best bike with the Fireblade Superbike machine that he’ll be able to progress even more and pull in some good results for himself and the team.”

Keith Amor, John McGuinness and the HM Plant Honda squad can be seen in action at the TT from Saturday 29 May, when Practice commences, with qualifying the following week leading up to the races spanning Friday 4 to Friday 11 June. Remember to check back to www.honda-racing.co.uk during the Isle of Man TT fortnight for all the latest images, news, personal video blogs from the riders and behind-the-scenes action, as well as sign up to take part in a live web chat with the riders at 6.00pm on Tuesday 8 June. Log on to www.honda-racing.co.uk as well to register to receive email and SMS news updates from the HM Plant Honda team throughout the season.