Dan Kneen, the gifted young road racer who is tipped to win some major titles this year, is to benefit from a ?7,000 sponsorship award from Manx Gas.

It is the second time that Manx Gas has pledged its financial support for a young sports person on the Island with snowboard athlete Zoe Gillings receiving sponsorship of ?5,000 two years ago.

"We want to support up and coming young sports people on the Island and Dan is a rider who is certainly going for one of the top 10 places in the TT and beyond," said Gary Cregeen, sales and marketing manager of Manx Gas.

"This will be an annual sponsorship and one which demonstrates the commitment of Manx Gas to specifically supporting young sports achievers in the community.  Dan, through his own sheer skill and dogged determination to succeed, is deserving of our support."

The sponsorship, in conjunction with accountancy firm Marks Bloom, means that Dan will be racing under the name of Manx Gas, riding bikes provided by Marks Bloom.

Dan, 22, commented, "The sponsorship from Manx Gas is excellent news and it’s particularly encouraging to have the support of an Isle of Man-based company.  It’s very expensive just to compete in the TT and at one stage I didn’t think I would be able to do it."

A plumber by day, Dan is the first rider in the 85-year history of the Manx Grand Prix to win three races in a single week when he scooped the Newcomers (Class C) Ultra Lightweight and Junior events in 2008. 

At the TT last year, he finished 13th in the Superbike race, 11th in the Supersport and 10th in the Superstock before a crash at the Black Dub in the second Supersport race prematurely ended his week. 

"I’m hopeful this will be a particularly good year for me," he added. 

Pictured: Gary Cregeen, sales and marketing manager of Manx Gas, with Dan Kneen on a Suzuki 1000 one of the bikes he will be riding in the TT.