Team ILR are pleased to announce that they will once again team up with two riders from the 2019 season Joe Loughlin and Masayuki Yamanaka, along with Stefano Bonetti and James Hind as the team sets its sights on the 2020 race season.

Loughlin will pilot the Team ILR - Mark Coverdale Paton Supertwin and Yamaha R6 at the North-West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix (subject to it taking place) as well as a few selected races leading up to the NW200.

The young rider from Castleblayney was a sensation on the Paton at Dundrod in 2019 when he finished second in two thrilling Lightweight races by under one hundredth of a second to Paul Jordan and Christian Elkin respectively, and lapping at over 119mph.

Joe Loughlin.
Photo: Eddie Mateer

The highly experienced Stefano Bonetti is no stranger to race fans, and in 2019 the Italian National Anthem rang out around the famous Portstewart-Coleraine-Portrush Triangle circuit for the first time in the 90-year history of the North-West 200 when he took the honours with a superb ride in the Supertwin race.

The fastest Italian to have ever lapped the 37.73-mile Mountain Course will also race a Team ILR - Mark Coverdale Paton at the North-West 200, the TT and the Ulster GP, and he will no doubt be hoping to give a good account of himself as he looks to repeat his 2019 North-West win and also build on his 6th place finish in the 2019 Lightweight TT.

Stefano Bonetti.
Photo: Peter Callister

In James Hind the sport undoubtedly has a new star.

Following a Mountain Circuit debut in 2018 in which he was second in the Newcomers Manx GP, 2019 saw the 19 year old make the break-through with a brilliant brace of wins in both Manx Grand Prix Lightweight races, as well as a third place ride in the Lightweight Classic TT behind Bruce Anstey and Davey Todd.

He was also leading the Junior Manx GP race until his Yamaha R6 developed an oil leak, but not before he had set a new lap record with a speed of 121.77mph from a standing start, and he also led the Senior Manx GP on the opening lap until the R6 developed a throttle problem at Ballaugh Bridge.

In 2020, James will return to the Island for his Isle of Man TT debut, and he too will have a Team ILR - Mark Coverdale Paton at his disposal for the Lightweight TT.

James Hind.
Photo: Peter Callister

Returning to the TT with Team ILR is Masayuki Yamanaka.

The Japanese rider took full advantage of Ian Lougher and his team's experience at the 2019 TT to ride well in the second Supersport TT and register his fastest lap around the TT course with a speed of 115.659mph.

Masayuki impressed everyone in the team with his preparation and attention to detail, and his infectious smile will be a welcome sight as he again competes at the 2020 races on the Team ILR - Mark Coverdale ER6 and Supersport ZX6 Kawasakis.

Masayuki Yamanaka.
Photo: Peter Callister