Bradford’s Dean Harrison has parted company from RC Express Racing, paving the way for one of road racing’s most exciting young talents to join Northern Ireland team Mar-Train Racing.

The 25-year-old, who won his maiden Isle of Man TT race this year with victory in the Lightweight race, has been strongly linked with Tim Martin’s Temple-based outfit, which will be Yamaha UK’s official roads team in 2015 and 2016.

Mar-Train has withdrawn from the British Supersport Championship to concentrate its efforts on the roads and Harrison - who rode the team’s Supersport machine this season - is the perfect rider to spearhead the factory challenge and put Yamaha’s all-new YZF-R1 Superbike on the map next year.

On Wednesday evening, RC Express Racing confirmed an amicable split with Harrison to allow the English rider the opportunity ‘to pursue new opportunities’.

The statement said: “Isle of Man TT race winners RC Express Racing have today (Wednesday) announced that they have parted company with Dean Harrison for 2015 with the Bradford rider opting to pursue other options and challenges for the season ahead.

“The duo had a verbal agreement in place for 2015 but the father and son team of Roy and Ben Constable have decided not to stand in Harrison’s way and reluctantly, though amicably, agreed to release him.

“The Bristol-based team joined forces with the now 25-year-old mid-way through the 2012 season after his impressive performances at that year’s TT and the partnership went on to experience a meteoric rise to the very top of the road racing ladder, improving their results with each and every outing as well as repeatedly setting personal best laps.

“Together, they enjoyed an extremely successful two and a half years, the undoubted highlights being a start to finish victory in this year’s Lightweight TT race as well as a close second place to Michael Dunlop in the Superstock race on their immaculately-prepared Kawasaki machinery.

“In total, the partnership claimed an impressive five top eight finishes in two years of racing at the TT, only suffering one DNF from their seven races together. Harrison also became one of only 14 riders to lap the 37.73-mile mile course at more than 130mph when he lapped at 130.261mph from a standing start in this year’s Senior race.

“Elsewhere, a rostrum was taken at the 2014 Ulster Grand Prix, where Harrison became the fastest newcomer in 2012 becoming the first to break the 130mph barrier in the process, whilst numerous race wins and lap records were taken at the Southern 100 where Dean won five of the seven races he started in 2014,” the statement added.

“Meanwhile, there was also notable success achieved at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough with Harrison winning the Cock o’ the North Trophy in both 2013 and 2014.

“Everyone at RC Express Racing would like to thank Dean for his effort and commitment during his time with the team and wish him all the very best for the future.

“An announcement will be made in due course on RC Express Racing’s schedule and plans for 2015.”



.