Tommy Hill - 2005 Rider Profile

Regarded by many as one of the UK's brightest and most talented up-and-coming riders, Tommy is sure to capitalise on his rookie year with Team Virgin Mobile Samsung as he teams up with Sean Emmett and remains with the team for a second year after an amazing debut season.

Tommy found his road racing feet in the 125 Aprilla Superteen class before graduating through Junior Superstock and onto the Superstock Championship in 2002, where he competed on a Yamaha R1. However, he was unable to finish the season after contracting a serious bout of food poisoning, (Tommy suffered a near fatal motorcross accident when he was 14 which left the Lingfield-based rider without a spleen and only one kidney and therefore susceptible to infections). Despite missing five rounds he still finished the highest placed Yamaha rider at the end of the season.

In 2003 Tommy tried his luck in the newly introduced Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup. Once again, Tommy rose to the challenge as he competed in one of the most competitive series on the British Superbike race card. Racing on identical bikes and against top-riders of his class, Hill won two races making his way to the rostrum ten times, and was the only rider to finish all 13 races. Unlike his rivals Tommy scored points in every race, and despite being handicapped by the drop-score system (riders dropped their worst two scores) Hill won the series with an impressive 21-point advantage and claimed his place in the 2003 Virgin Mobile Samsung British Superbike squad.

The meteoric rise of Tommy has not stopped there. In his rookie year, Tommy not only qualified on the front row on two occasions and became the youngest rider ever to do so; he also had the honour of being awarded the Steve Hislop Memorial Trophy for the Young Rider of the Year.

Hill commented: "To receive such a trophy is a great honour especially when you are voted by Niall McKenzie and John Reynolds, both triple Superbike Champions themselves. It certainly will take pride of place at home. I may not have picked up a superbike trophy yet but this certainly will do nicely for now. Last year was fantastic, I still have to pinch myself when I think that I am riding in a world class superbike team. I know this year will be even tougher than before. The British Superbike Championship is in a league of its own."

Team boss Rob McElnea commented: "We created the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup to find stars of the future; riders with determination, flare and talent. We always knew Tommy was worthy of that. We are delighted to have Tom stay with the team. He really did prove himself beyond everyone's expectations this year and, the hard work; commitment and strong results are the reasons why I signed him for another season"