Joe Yeardsley will make his much-anticipated TT debut in 2024.
Photo: Peter Callister
Returning in 2024 is Joe Yeardsley.
The exciting young Manx rider was nothing short of sensational on his Mountain Course debut in 2023, coming away from the Manx GP with a win and lap record in the Senior Manx GP, he was also looking good for the race win in the Junior Manx Grand Prix before unfortunately retiring at Kirk Michael.
At Scarborough, Yeardsley achieved his first podium at Oliver’s Mount on one of the team's Patons at the Spring Cup in April, and just missed out on a first win after slipping off on the last corner at Farm Bends.
This season Joe will again ride a Paton at Scarborough and the Southern 100, and he will make his TT debut in the summer.
Francesco Curinga returns to the TT with the team in 2024.
Photo: Peter Callister
Also back on board for 2024 will be Italian Francesco Curinga, who will ride a Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments Paton at the Isle of Man TT.
This year will see the Italian make his third consecutive appearance with the team, having won a record breaking 2022 Junior Manx GP on the Paton in 2022.
Last year Francesco made his Isle of Man TT debut where he had a strong ride in the second Supertwin TT, coming through from 11th on the opening lap to bring one of our Patons home in 8th.
Masayuki Yamanaka's TT adventure continues in 2024, and again supported by Team ILR.
Photo: Peter Callister
Continuing with the theme of returning riders is Masayuki Yamanaka, a rider who epitomises the true spirit of the Isle of Man TT.
This will be his fourth year supported and guided by 10 times TT winner Ian Lougher, and at the TT in 2023 the delight was there for all to see to see when the ever popular Japanese rider put in a brilliant performance to get into the Top 20 in the second Supertwin TT on our Kawasaki ER-6 and clinch his first ever Bronze replica.
Masayuki will again ride the team's Kawasaki ER-6 in the Supertwin TT at this year's event.
David Datzer is the fastest German rider at the TT.
Photo: Milan Kubin (Czech Roadracing)
Talented 31 year old David Datzer had a successful debut at last year's North-West 200 where he was seventh in the Superbike race and picked up the Best Newcomer Award, and a last lap of 126.858mph in the Isle of Man Senior TT propelled him to the accolade of becoming the fastest German rider at the TT displacing Rico Penzkofer, who has worked closely with Datzer, from that honour.
A superb third place ride behind Peter Hickman and Davey Todd at the 2023 Macau Grand Prix, where he was second the previous year, was another season highlight.
David will ride another of our Patons for his fourth appearance at the Isle of Man TT.
Irishman James Chawke returns to Team ILR in 2024 to compete at the Isle of Man TT.
Photo: Takeshi Yamashita
James Chawke is another rider returning to the team for 2024.
The likeable Irishman rode for Team ILR back in 2019 when he made his debuts at the North-West 200, the TT and the Ulster GP, with a superb 4th place finish on our Paton on his NW 200 debut being a particular highlight.
The former Junior Manx GP winner also finished 11th in the Lightweight TT, and then registered solid 8th and 10th place finishes in the Supertwin races at Dundrod.
This year James will take part in both Supersport TT's on our 2024 Honda CBR600RR.
Hikari Okubo will ride the Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments 2024 CBR600RR Honda at Oulton Park in May.
Photo: Rider Contributed
Hikari Ukubo is the second Japanese rider in our 2024 line-up.
The 30 year old from Tokyo will ride our 2024 Honda CBR600RR when we make a return to the BSB paddock at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Hikari is no stranger to the CBR600RR having ridden one at Supersport World Championship level, and he will have a chance to familiarise himself with the latest model when we test at Oulton a few days prior to the BSB meeting.
The team will field two Irish riders at this year's Manx GP in August.
Jacque Foley will make his second appearance at the Manx GP.
Photo: Robin Hynes (Northline Photography)
Jacque Foley from Scariff in Co Clare is entering his seventh season of racing.
The 2019 Thundersport Supertwins champion has also competed in the Ducati Tri Options Cup and selected rounds of the European Superbike Championship, and in 2023 he made his Manx GP debut where he lapped consistently in qualifying only to unfortunately retire at the pits on the opening lap of the Junior race.
Foley returns to the Manx in August on a Paton, upon which he will also compete at Scarborough and the Southern 100.
Anthony O'Carroll was the 2023 Duke Rankings Best Newcomer.
Photo: Ryan Crooks (Hi Cam Images)
Joining Foley at the Manx GP will be fellow Irishman Anthony O'Carroll from Ballyduff in Co. Kerry, who will compete on a Paton S1-R and Honda CBR600RR.
O'Carroll scored a double at the Armoy Road Races last year when he was successful in the Junior and Senior Support Races, and on his debut at the Manx GP he created his own slice of history when he became the first Kerry rider to finish a race on the Isle of Man when he scored an impressive 14th place finish in Senior Manx Grand Prix.
Julien Cregniot will be looking to build on a solid Manx GP debut last year.
Photo: Ryan Crawley (RC Photos)
Completing our 2024 line-up is Julien Cregniot.
Cregniot's highlights in 2023 included finishing eighth in the 2022 IRRC Supersport Championship, and a fine debut 19th place in the Senior Manx Grand Prix on a borrowed bike from his friend Amalric Blanc, after his own engine broke at Chimay in Belgium leading up to the Manx.
The Frenchman returns to the Manx in August equipped with our R6 Yamaha and Paton.
Team ILR principal Ian Lougher:
"This year's Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments line-up once again has the perfect blend of youth and experience, and it certainly has an international flavour to it with no fewer than six nationalities represented.
We are looking forward to supporting our riders as they continue their respective race journeys, in particular at the Isle of Man TT and Manx GP, and they will receive all the advice and support necessary to achieve their individual ambitions.
It promises to be another busy and exciting season!
See you all soon."
Ian
