TRIO FOR PHR PERFORMANCE

Words by PHIL WAIN and images courtesy of IOMTTRaces

Peter Hickman’s PHR Performance team will have a greater presence at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races. They are fielding not only himself but also former podium finisher Pierre-Yves Bian along with newcomer Barry Burrell.

14-time winner Hickman will contest the Monster Energy Supersport TT races on the Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance machine. He will also field Bian, second to Hickman in the first Supertwin race of 2023. Notably, Bian is the first Frenchman to stand on a solo TT podium, and he will race on an identical machine.

The duo will also contest the Metzeler / Entire Cover insurance Supertwin TT races. Hickman will race on the Swan Racing PHR Performance Yamaha. Meanwhile, Bian will race the PHR Performance Aprilia.

The Frenchman, winner of the 2019 Newcomers Manx Grand Prix, made his TT debut in 2022. He has now made 11 starts, steadily improving his results and lap speeds. As well as the second-place finish two years ago, he has three more top ten finishes to his name, all in the Supertwin category. Notably, he has also lapped at close to 121mph in the Supersport class where he’s picked up three bronze replicas.

Now entering his fourth year of TT competition, he’s subsequently added the 1000cc races to his schedule for the first time. He will campaign the PHR Performance BMW.

“I’m really excited about this year’s TT and having a stronger PHR Performance team on the grid,” said Hickman. “I’ve got a lot of time for Pierre and he’s in a good place and confident ahead of this year’s TT so with the Triumph having improved a lot over the winter, I’m looking forward to seeing what we can both do.

“We’ve done a lot of work to my Yamaha over the winter months as we’re always looking for more horsepower,” he added. “My size and stature mean it’s always tough and we’re still lacking a bit with the straight-line speed of the Yamaha. It’s improving all the time though and the focus has been on both engine and exhaust development.”

As well as running Bian in the four 1000cc races, Hickman will also run newcomer Burrell. The County Durham rider is making his TT debut after a distinguished career across the classes in the British Superbike Championship paddock. Notably, his career includes 89 starts in the premier BSB series, where he’s still enjoying success in the BMW Cup.

“I’ve known and raced against Barry since about 2002 and it’s great to have him in the team for his TT debut. I’ll help him as much as I can and where I can and that’s pretty much the PHR Performance philosophy. We like to help people where we can and with Pierre and Barry we’ve got two great riders in the team.”