Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bruce Anstey to miss 2018 Isle of Man TT and North West 200 after being diagnosed with cancer

The 48-year-old New Zealander recovered from testicular cancer in the late 1990s but has ‘multiple tumours in his lungs, a tumour on his spine and a blood clot on the lung’

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 11 April 2018 12:24 BST
Comments
Bruce Anstey has been diagnosed with cancer and will likely miss the 2018 season
Bruce Anstey has been diagnosed with cancer and will likely miss the 2018 season

Fan-favourite Isle of Man TT rider Bruce Anstey is expected to miss the entire 2018 road racing season after being diagnosed with cancer, his partner has said.

Anny Ramsey announced on Facebook that the 13-time TT winner has “multiple tumours in his lungs and a tumour on his spine”, as well as having a “blood clot on the lung”, and added that Anstey is unlikely to race this year at all as he prepares to undergo treatment.

The 48-year-old New Zealander was due to compete once again for the Padgetts Racing outfit at this year’s Isle of Man TT, as well as the North West 200 event in Northern Ireland next month.

Anstey has won 13-time around the Isle of Man TT course

“So folks, some of you already know our s*** news,” Ramsey wrote on Facebook. “Unfortunately Brucey has become ill. He has multiple tumours in his lungs and a tumour on his spine and a blood clot on the lung just to kick him while his [sic] down.

“I doubt very much Bruce will see any racing this year but we won’t rule that out lol. He is waiting for a treatment plan and should be starting it very soon.

“Sorry for the s*** news folks. Onwards and upwards.”

Ramsey also asked for their privacy to be respected, and motorcycle fans quickly sent messages of support towards the Kiwi in the hope of a full recovery. Both the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 Twitter accounts posted tributes to the Wellington-born rider, with fellow riders also tweeting messages hoping to see him back in the paddock soon.

“Following the news about Bruce Anstey’s health and on behalf of all TT fans worldwide we want to wish him the speediest recovery. We look forward to seeing the ‘Flying Kiwi’ back competing on the Isle of Man and breaking records again very soon,” the official Isle of Man TT account tweeted.

The North West 200 account said: “All of us at the Vauxhall International North West 200 are deeply saddened to hear that our favourite Kiwi Bruce Anstey has become ill and probably won’t be able to do any racing this year. Our thoughts are with him and Anny.”

Padgetts Racing, who Anstey was due to compete for once again as well as the Mugen Shinden TT Zero outfit, wrote: “We love you Bruce and @tinkerbell0164 massive hugs and kisses sent to you both #racingfamily #padgettfamily #allinittogether.”

Fellow Padgetts rider Conor Cummins said: The man knows how to battle. Kick its ass Bruce and @tinkerbell0164. Thinking of you guys.”

Anstey resides in Windsor, New Zealand, and was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1995 which forced him to miss the 1997 Isle of Man TT event a year after making his debut, but he returned the following year and has been an ever-present each year since 2002, making him one of the most experienced riders on currently on the circuit. His most recent victory on the Snaefell Mountain Course came in last year’s TT Zero event, and his last superbike win came at the 2015 event, the year after he broke the record for the fastest lap around the 37-mile TT course.

His 15 victories put him sixth on the all-time winners list, and he is currently the seventh-fastest man to have lapped the course with his fastest time of 17 minutes 6.682 seconds at an average speed of 132.298mph.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in