Motorcycling: Schwantz, Mamola set for Isle

American 500cc Grand Prix legend Kevin Schwantz will complete a lap of the Isle of Man TT course on a Suzuki GSX-R1000 in June.The 1993 world champion will become the latest star name from motorcycling's blue riband class to travel to the Isle of Man to witness the TT races after visits in recent years by Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Nicky Hayden, Mick Doohan and Loris Capirossi. Schwantz will take part in the Arai Parade Lap of the 37.73-mile circuit prior to the start of the second Monster Energy Supersport race on Wednesday, June 6 and will be joined on the course by Randy Mamola, a 13-time GP winner considered the best rider never to have won the 500cc world crown. Current MotoGP ace Cal Crutchlow will also participate along with 11-times TT winner and Northern Ireland road racing hero Phillip McCallen, who will ride a Honda RC45. Schwantz, who has visited the Isle of Man before but has never completed a closed roads lap of the circuit, said he 'jumped at the chance' to take part in the parade. Revered for his all-action riding style, Schwantz won a total of 25 GP races between 1988 and 1994. “The Isle of Man is rightly considered a mecca for motorcycle racing and when I was offered the opportunity to experience a closed road parade lap I jumped at the chance," he said. “The top TT racers are respected around the world and I'm really looking forward to experiencing the famous Mountain Course first hand.” Six riders in total will complete the Arai Parade Lap, with Schwantz, Mamola, Crutchlow and McCallen joined by Neil Hodgson and Swan Yamaha's Ian Hutchinson. Mamola, who will ride a Ducati Panigale, is making his first trip to the Isle of Man. “I have a long connection with Arai and it will be a real honour to represent them in a parade lap around this iconic race circuit,” he said. “I've met many TT racers over the course of my career and I'm pleased to get the chance to see the races live.”