With the current financial situation being as it is Olie Linsdell had to make a decision between BSB and Road Racing this season. The obvious choice was Road Racing, and he will ride a full stable of Yamaha machinery on the roads for the 2009 Season, in a new team being set up by 12 time Manx/TT Podium finisher, father Steve.

The 21 year old is fired up and can’t wait for the new challenges that lie ahead when the season starts. His schedule includes the North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Ulster GP, all of the Scarborough meetings, plus a substantial number of the Irish Road Races. He has secured Flitwick Motorcycles backed Superbike, Superstock and Supersport Yamaha machinery running on Pirelli tyres. As well as this he has landed rides on 125 and 250 Hondas, under the expert wings of Matt Jackson and Peter Berwick, and will be fighting for another victory at the Manx GP, this time on the Paton classic bike.

Olie expanded on his road racing experience and had a good 2008 Season, taking his second win at the International North West 200 and the Dundrod 150 race during the rain lashed Ulster GP meeting, his debut at the Ulster circuit. He also set new lap records during both wins in the process. His first TT gained him two Bronze and one Silver replica, with a 600 speed of 119.554, and he is keen to build on his growing Road race reputation this year. His season on the short circuits was also impressive. Riding in the BSB support 600 Superstock 600 class, he took 5 top ten placings, and 15th overall, despite an early shoulder injury, in a series that saw 60 plus riders on the track over the weekend, and often less than a second separating the top thirty!

Concentrating on pure Road racing this Season enables Olie and his team to put all available funds into producing a competitive package, and with the Yamaha machines prepared by father Steve, Olie will be able to put all his energy into getting the results and focusing on gaining the experience he needs to figure at the sharp end of road racing for years to come.

Olie said:

“It is fair to say that the past two years have been fantastic for me, and I know I have been lucky to have had the breaks that have got me where I am today. 2008 riding alongside Ian Lougher was a steep and enjoyable learning curve, and I have much to thank him for. However I was unable to raise the necessary funding to stay with Ian’s Team this year. I am pleased to say that with the help of a number of my personal backers I have been able to get back on the grids with a competitive package that I believe will give me the ammo’ I need. For the first time I will get a crack at riding a Superbike, and the Yamaha Big Bang Superstock 1000 is a very exciting prospect! I am also really looking forward to riding the 125 and 250 Hondas, which I rode late in the 2008 Season with pleasing results, and to experience the Paton on the mountain course. The truth is I am so excited and can’t wait for the season to start!”

Although the team has secured the funding to get and prepare the bikes, it now turns its attention to the task of running them for the duration of the season. 2009 is set to be a financially challenging year and anybody that can offer any sort of support, and wants to become part of an exciting and professional new team, should contact Olie through his website - HERE

Olie and Team Flitwick Yamaha starts the Season with a three day test in Portimao, followed by the Scarborough Spring cup on the 19th April.