Despite the setback of 2 fractured vertabrae, a destroyed Kawasaki ZX10R Evo Superbike, and missing the first 3 rounds of the BSB season, 23 year old Manxman Dan Kneen sets off to Thruxton today with high hopes of getting his 2011 season fully underway. The fourth round of the British Superbike series is to be held there this weekend and it will be Dans first ride in the Evo class against the cream of British Superbike riders. He took the win there in last years supersport cup race and the fast flowing circuit suits the style of the TT and roads specialist. "Im going to use the meeting more as a chance to get the bike setup and as a warm up for the TT as I havent really had a chance to ride it in a race yet" said Kneen. "I like the circuit and im really looking forward to getting out there , just to be riding again and will just give it my best and hopefully come away with a decent result" Last weekends NW200 saw Dan make a positive start to his roads season by qualifying in 11th in the Supersport race and he was lying in 13th on the last lap when unfortunately the rain gremlins struck and water in the electrics caused his retirement. The meeting then being cancelled meant no chance to ride the Superbike in anger. Dans support from Sponsor Dave Evans of Marks Bloom Racing is unwaivering and a replacement bike has been supplied to replace the one destroyed in the pre season test. Slick Bass of Slick Performance in the Isle of Man has done a great job in helping to get the bikes ready for the season and with the TT about to start hopes are high for Dan. He will have to get a flight back from Thruxton on Monday after racing and hopefully will get some practice in monday night. " I just hope the weather sorts itself out and we can get some good practice sessions in and get the bikes set up and myself dialled in, im really looking forward to getting out on the Kawasaki " Dan will ride the Kawasaki ZX10R EVO superbike which is basically a standard engine in a superbike chassis as well as campaigning a ZX10R Superstock machine and also his 2008 R6 yamaha from last year in the Supersport races. In 2010, in his first ever TT the Privateer and Triple Manx Grand prix winner was 10th overall in the TT Solo Championship with a 5th place in the first Supersport Race, 8th in the Senior, 10th in Supersport , and12th in the Superbike . A second overall in the 2010 BSB Supersport Cup Championship rounded out a successful season with some fine top 10 results as well on the other road circuits including wins at Dundrod and the title of Fastest Newcomer at the Ulster Grand prix. Dan would like to thank his Team and sposors especially Marks Bloom accountants, Wemoto.com, ELAS, Slick performance also all his trade sponsors and the staff at the Hyperbaric chamber without whom his swift recovery wouldnt have been possible. ENDS