As the island celebrates its rich heritage with the International Six Days Enduro (formerly ISDT) this weekend at Knock Froy, two of our finest riders of all-time are looking for new jobs in what is a fickle motorcycle industry.
David Knight, the only Manxman ever to win the ISDE outright (in 2005), is without a ride for the forthcoming SuperEnduro World Championship - having finished runner-up for the past four years.
Jamie McCanney, the newly-crowned Junior World Enduro Champion and E1 class winner of the 2015 ISDE in Slovakia, appears to be out of a job at Husqvarna.
It’s all about money and, with KTM buying up smaller companies such as Husaberg (and Gas Gas now out of production), the options are limited.
KTM and Husqvarna are basically the same machines (with different badges on) and the company is cutting back on wages - in some cases none are offered.
McCanney, one of the top young stars of the sport, is apparently in talks with another manufacturer for 2016, while Knight - 16 years his senior at 37 - is somewhat out in the cold, despite his undoudted raw talent and experience.
After splitting the factory KTMs of Jonny Walker and Taddy Blazusiak on his UK importers’ 250 two-stroke at Fast Eddy’s Enduro Extreme Indoor Enduro at Stafford Showground on Sunday, Knighter Tweeted: ‘It looks like I won’t be racing the SuperEnduro World Championship this winter. Pretty gutted, but no bike or team.’
l More on page 62 and 63.