Shand signs for Uel Duncan Racing.

2005 British Superstock race winner Les Shand has signed to ride for Uel Duncan Racing for the 2006 road racing and British Superstock seasons.

The deal will see the Scotsman, who took a podium finish at the recent Macau Grand Prix, riding an ex-Karl Harris 1000cc Honda and ex-Eugene Laverty 600cc Honda at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix. In addition, the 28-year-old will also contest selected British Superstock Championship meetings, the series in which he finished 6th overall in 2005 for AIM Yamaha, on a Fireblade machine.

Shand signs for Uel Duncan Racing.

2005 British Superstock race winner Les Shand has signed to ride for Uel Duncan Racing for the 2006 road racing and British Superstock seasons.

The deal will see the Scotsman, who took a podium finish at the recent Macau Grand Prix, riding an ex-Karl Harris 1000cc Honda and ex-Eugene Laverty 600cc Honda at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix. In addition, the 28-year-old will also contest selected British Superstock Championship meetings, the series in which he finished 6th overall in 2005 for AIM Yamaha, on a Fireblade machine.

"I'm absolutely chuffed to bits to be joining Uel's team," said Shand. "We got talking at the end of the season about working together so to have it all come together is brilliant. The team have purchased some of the best machinery possible and with Honda UK support as well, I can't believe that this opportunity has come my way. Having seen at close quarters the way the team performs, it's clear that they are of the most professional teams in the paddock and more than capable of challenging the factory teams.

"The International meetings will be my main aim and having taken some strong finishes in 2005, I'm confident that Uel's team will give me the best chance of improving upon those results. Obviously, I'll have a lot of learning to do at Dundrod whilst it will only be my second year at the TT but I'm confident that Uel's team will give me a great chance of success and the 2006 season can't come quick enough for me," he added.

Team principal Uel Duncan was also delighted to have signed Shand, who will ride alongside fellow new signing Cameron Donald, and insisted there will be no pressure to perform.

"I'm delighted to welcome Les to our team and am sure we can give him the support he needs to further his road racing achievements," he began. "He's already taken two top four places at the North West 200 and to lap at over 120mph at his first TT was very special so it will be great to see him line up on a full blown Superbike and in our colours.

"There'll be no pressure on him and I'm sure we can give him the support and team environment he needs in order to succeed. With Cameron Donald also on board for 2006, the whole team is already excited about the prospects for the year ahead and it's terrific for everyone concerned with the team to be able to secure the services of two of the most exciting riders within the sport," Duncan declared.

The team, which will retain sponsorship from Robinson Concrete, Wilson Craig, Tullyally Car Breakers and McNair Tools, have also been talking to a third, young rider for the 600cc class - with an announcement expected in the forthcoming weeks.

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