Cullybackey rider prepares for exciting challenge

Dean McMaster with the MV Agusta that he will ride in the Supersport class this incoming year. Picture: Roy Adams.

Dean will ride the MV for BikeBitsNI, with the other rider in the team being Bangor’s Daniel Annett, team owner Jonny’s brother.

Daniel performed well during the year on his standard bike, winning the Stocktwin championship.

Dean, on the other hand, has already dipped his toe into the highly competitive Supersport 600 class, having raced a 675 Triumph.

His performances probably exceeded even his own expectations. He set fastest lap of the day at a number of meetings and was seldom far off the pace.

Dean’s talent has been recognised by Jonny Annett, who said: “We are running two MV F3-RR’s in 2014. Daniel has already proved himself a fast learner on the SV he rode for us last year.

“We have worked with Dean in the past. I like the way he goes about things, and he has come on well during 2013. We are all very excited to see how the lads progress on what is basically a development bike.”

The local lad’s machine is already prepared, and the BikeBitsNI team are already hard at work building the bike Daniel will use.

At the minute, the testing schedule is still unclear, due as much as anything to the behaviour of the weather, but it’s hoped to get a few days to set up the suspension before the ISB season gets underway.

Dean said: “I rode the Triumph last year and really enjoyed myself on it.

“I know the MV is going to be a wee bit different power wise, but hopefully I can get my head round it and make the changes that I need to do well.

“Jonny has given me a great chance, and I mean to grab it with both hands.

“I just want to thank Jonny for the opportunity, and also for the help and encouragement of my Dad, Colin. He’s been there every step since I started racing – I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Roy Adams.