Anstey set to miss 2018 season battling cancer

12-time Isle of Man TT winner Bruce Anstey will miss the 2018 season with his partner revealing he is currently battling cancer for the second time in his life.

Anstey had been gearing up with Padgetts Honda for an eighth successive year but has been described as suffering with ‘multiple tumours in his lungs and a tumour on his spine’ plus a blood clot on his lung.

The 48-year-old is expected to be out of the entire 2018 road racing campaign as his recovery process begins but partner Annie Ramsey has refused to rule him out of competing.

“Unfortunately, Brucey has become ill. He has multiple tumours in his lungs, a tumour on his spine and a blood clot on the lung just to kick him while he’s down,” Annie wrote on her Facebook page. “I doubt very much Bruce will see any racing this year but we won’t rule that out!

“He is waiting for a treatment plan and should be starting it very soon. I will try to keep you all updated.”

Anstey won the TT Zero race to make it 12 TT career wins on the Isle of Man while also winning the Superbike race at the Ulster Grand Prix for his 13th win around the Dundrod circuit.

The Kiwi rider also enjoyed a successful Classic TT winning the Lightweight race in record-breaking fashion with more than a 120mph lap on a 250cc machine around the Mountain Course.

This is Anstey’s second battle against the disease.