KTM set to debut at TT Races

Austrian manufacturer KTM will make its debut on the Isle of Man's Mountain Course at the 2010 TT.

James Edmeades will ride the flagship RC8R Superbike for the Loughborough-based Redline KTM team.

Team boss Tim Walker told BBC Isle of Man: "It's an exciting time for everyone involved in the project.

"I've worked with KTM for almost 20 years and to race one around the Mountain Course [at the TT] will be a piece of history."

KTM competed at both the Austrian and German Superbike Championships in 2009.

Loughborough's James Edmeades will take the controls for the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT Races.

The 26-year-old has already ridden at three TT meetings in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

"The opportunity to become the first KTM rider to race on the Mountain Course is a tremendous honour for me," he said.

"It's a superb bike and I'm sure it will perform well around the Mountain Course."

KTM join four Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki as official manufacturer-supported teams at this year's event.