MOTORSPORT: McLean joins McAdoo racing in change of plan
TOBERMORE rising motorbike star Adam McLean has signed for Cookstown based McAdoo Racing for the new season ahead.
The 21 year-old bricklayer had initially signed for Team IMR in December 2017, but plans took a u-turn when he requested a release from his contract.
“IMR and myself had different views on moving forward,” McLean told the County Derry Post.
“Whenever it went out (on social media) that myself and IMR had went our separate ways, Winston (McAdoo) got in touch, asking ‘had I any plans?’ I called up with him that evening and we got the deal done.
“We agreed for this year and we will see how it goes. It is the sort of team I would like to see the partnership run on with for several years.”
McLean will compete on MSS Performance prepared Kawaski ZX-6R and ZX-10RR bikes.
Jonathan Rae MBE, took to social media to congratulate McLean on his new deal. “Great rider and team combination!” tweeted Rae of the new deal.
“I was at work and I got a couple of messages to say ‘get on Twitter’. Jason McAdoo had said I got a nice tweet from JR (Jonathan Rae),” McLean recalls. “It was a nice touch to be recognised as such by a three-time World Superbike Champion”
Speaking from Manchester Airport, McLean was in transit to the Isle of Man as part of his preparations for the new season.
“I only did the TT last year on a 600. With me riding the 1000 at it this year, I am going over to spend a bit of time with Milky (Richard) Quayle. He is a good TT man over there and everything is different with a faster bike. It is like learning all over again.”
McLean has been racing from the age of eight. Starting in the mini motos before moving into short circuit racing and had a season in the British 125 Championship.
At the age of 19 he entered his first road race and now has three seasons under his belt.
“Last year was our first year of doing the whole thing as regards international road races and the Isle of Man TT,” McLean adds.
“We have progressed a good bit in a short space of time. You only get to each circuit once a year, so it takes three or four years before you really know your way around the place.”
In terms of goals for the new season, McLean was still coming to terms with joining a new team.
“At this stage I haven’t really through that far ahead. We had a really good season last year, so it is just to move forward from that.
“Riding for McAdoo Kawasaki - I am riding for the same team I was riding for last year. I was riding for MSS Performers, they are based in Colchester, over in England.
“A sponsor had pulled out and there was nothing we could do. With Winston McAdoo coming on board, we have Nick Morgan working with us this year again.
“We will be out on the Kawasaki ZX1000 and ZX600. We are on the same machinery again it will be good. I learned a good bit about them and each bike has different characteristics and riding styles.”