Linfoot joins Hodgson at Motorpoint Yamaha
Dan Linfoot will make a full-time graduation to the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2010 after being confirmed alongside Neil Hodgson at Motorpoint Yamaha.
Linfoot rode a Rob Mac Racing-prepared, North West/Node4-backed Yamaha in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship in 2009, displaying impressive pace on the R6 during his maiden season of BSS competition.
However, with an injury at Snetterton ruling him out of the title fight, Linfoot was instead promoted to ride the Node4 Yamaha R1 in the Superbike class for the final two rounds of the season.
Now Linfoot will make his full debut in the category in 2010 as part of a formidable Rob Mac Racing-run Motorpoint Yamaha team that will combine youth and experience.
"To have done the rounds in BSB this season will definitely be of benefit for me going into testing and next year," Linfoot, who scored one point during his four-race stint at the end of 2009, told the BSB website. "I certainly don't know the Superbike inside out, but I have a bit more of an idea of what to expect and it means I won't be thrown in at the deep end.
"I have targets for next year and I know that they won't happen instantly, as you have to look at the bigger picture and the Superbike takes more getting used to than a Supersport bike. I want to get as close to Neil (Hodgson) as I can and I am hoping that as I learn and progress throughout the season then we can then aim for the top six.
"I have a lot to learn and I know that it will be a steep learning curve; I am under no illusions about that, but it is fantastic for me to have Neil as a team-mate as he is a former world champion. I remember watching him and Chris Walker before I was even racing competitively, so for me there is probably nobody better to work with right now.
"I am definitely happy to be back with Rob (McElnea) and at the start of this season I wanted to make it a long-term relationship so to come back for a second year with the team is great for me. The goal was to move up to Superbike and that is what has happened, so it is all really fitting together for me at the moment. I now just hope I can rise to the occasion and have a good season for myself, the Motorpoint Yamaha team and my personal sponsor Stonebaker."
Rob Mac Racing ran three Yamahas in 2009; two Motorpoint/Henderson backed bikes for Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland, and one North West 200 bike for Michael Rutter initially, before Node4 and Jon Kirkham stepped in as sponsor and rider later in the year.
