CFMOTO NARROWLY MISS OUT ON PODIUM AT 2016 IOMTT
15/06/2016
The WK Bikes/CFMoto factory team have finished the 2016 Isle of Mann TT on a high, securing an impressive fourth place finish in the Bennetts Lightweight TT on the CFMoto 650 - narrowly missing out on the winners podium.
In its most successful year to date, the race team fielded two riders in 2016 with veteran TT racer Gary Johnson back on board the WK650i Zebra bike for the third year and rising TT star, Craig Neve recording impressive lap times and taking 16th overall.
“We’ve proved that our CFMoto bikes are capable of beating some of the biggest manufacturers such as Suzuki and Kawasaki, at the world’s most punishing road race.” Said WK Bikes boss Mike Hinkley.
During the final race, Johnson held onto third place for the first two laps before slipping back to fourth spot after a pit stop. He was only two seconds off the podium after 150 miles of grueling road racing.
Neve started 32nd and made up 16 places to finish in 16th ahead of many other experienced teams and riders.
“Over the past few years our involvement at the TT has created a great deal of excitement and brand awareness, and there’s little doubt that the 650 can run with the very best Japanese machines.” Hinkley concluded.
The WK Bikes/CFMoto Race Team made its TT debut in 2013 and has continued to defy critics of Chinese-manufactured ‘real’ racing bikes, proving its initial eyebrow-raising 109mph practice lap to be more than a promotional fluke.
In just four short years, UK distributor, WK Bikes has firmly placed the CFMoto Factory Team on the TT map, enjoying hard-won and positive acceptance in the process.
Bennetts Lightweight TT Results:
- Ivan Lintin, Kawasaki / Devitt RC Express Racing (01:16:26.681)
- James Hillier Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki (01:16:39.153)
- Martin Jessopp Kawasaki / Riders Motorcycles (01:18:23.536)
- Gary Johnson WK Bikes / CF Moto/WK Bikes (01:18:25.920)
- Stefano Bonetti Paton / CCM Motorsport (01:18:30.782)
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