Manxman Dan Kneen has got his season back on track this week with the Marks Bloom Racing rider returning from injury for the Isle of Man TT Races. The 25-year suffered a broken foot in mid-April at Jurby severely affecting his preparations for the International road racing season but, after being forced to miss the North West 200 earlier this month, he duly took his place on the line for the Lightweight practice session on Saturday evening.
 
Riding the Track Electronics 650cc Kawasaki again, Dan was able to put in two laps of the Mountain Course with a best of 109.356mph to ease his way back in to competition and whilst, as expected, the foot was a little bit stiff and sore, he reported no other problems and was out again on Monday. Conditions meant the session was untimed but Dan completed two laps on the 1000cc Marks Bloom Superstock Suzuki although with damp patches around the course and mist on the Mountain he took it nice and steady.
 
Speaking on Tuesday, Dan said; "It's good to be back out on the bikes again although it's obviously been a bit of a slow start with the mixed weather we've had on the Island. It's my first time on the 650 since last year's TT and I'm just trying to get comfortable on it again and I think that's why the foot was a bit sore. We've changed a few things on the bike just so I can get tucked in a bit more so I'm sure when we get back out on it again, we'll be able to improve the lap times."
 
"After the glorious weather over the weekend, it was a real shame Monday's session was affected by the weather and it was quite tricky in places, dry one minute and then wet the next. You could go into a corner and it was bone dry but as you were coming out of it, you'd find water running across the track so it was a bit sketchy. Some of the boys were riding a bit scrappy so I decided to pull in at Parliament Square and let them all go before getting going again! It was also really misty over the Mountain and whilst I know where I'm going some of the other riders didn't so I just took it nice and steady and kept out of trouble. Hopefully, the weather will pick up and TT2013 will get going properly for all concerned."
 
Everyone at Marks Bloom Racing would like to extend their condolencies to the family and friends of Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita who sadly lost his life in an incident during last night's practice session.
 
The third practice session is due to get underway at 6.20pm this evening (Tuesday).
Picture by Pacemaker Press International