Adam Donovan will ride an Aprilia RSV Mille V-Twin in the production class and the formula one class at the Isle of Mann TT race festival, beginning on May 26.

The 29 year old motorcycle salesman from Balwyn (Melbourne) will race against the TT legends, including the most successful TT rider ever, Ireland's Joey Dunlop.

Donovan caused a minor sensational upset as a novice in the Senior newcomers race at the 1998 Manx Grand Prix (the 'clubman' event held every September on the gruelling 61 kilometre Isle of Man Mountain circuit).

He led the race for the first two laps (122 kilometres), only to be forced to withdraw with a punctured front tyre halfway through the last lap.

Donovan's 109mph lap speeds were exceptional for a novice on the difficult public road circuit.

Adam Donovan graduated to the famed TT event in 1999, finishing 30th in the Production TT race with a best lap of 113mph.

A motorcycle dealership in Kent (England) has offered Donovan a new Aprilia for this year's TT.

Over 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts will descend on the 50 kilometre long by 17 kilometre wide island in the Irish Sea for a fortnight of practice and racing.

Donovan said he was first attracted to race in the Isle of Man by the challenge of competing on the world's longest road circuit.

"It's one of the fastest race circuits in the world, with a lap average speed faster than all the current Grand Prix circuits, and it's all public road.  Sometimes it's like the ultimate Sunday ride, but with no traffic coming the other way.  And it has the history - all the greatest riders of the past raced there," he said.