On 2 June, the rider of team Honda TT Legends, supported technically by Motul, managed to win the Dainese Superbike Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, one of the world's most dangerous motorcycle races. The 60 km circuit, crossed five times, goes through villages, and hugs footpaths and telephone boxes, but the riders make little of the danger and their average lap speed verges on 210 km/h.
After a start delayed by thick mist, McGuinness fought for first place in the first lap with Cameron Donald (his team-mate in the WEC but who is participating in the Tourist Trophy wearing the colours of Wilson Craig Honda) but started to widen the gap ahead of him after the second lap. His slick pit stops were also a helping factor. Behind, Cameron Donald stayed in second place while the following places gave rise to some skirmishing. In the first six there were four Motul riders, in addition to the two leading ones, Guy Martin and Simon Andrews. The latter was to be less lucky, falling at the Graham Memorial (erected in honour of Les Graham, the legendary TT rider) in lap one and suffering from a cracked shoulder and a broken wrist and ankle.
For his part, Guy Martin, rider of team Tyco Suzuki, also supported by Motul, experienced rear tyre disassembly problems which forced him to cover the last four laps with the same rear tyre, but he nevertheless managed to clinch 4th place.
'In the first lap, there were still a lot of dead leaves and dampness on the track', recalled McGuinness, 'so I remained relatively prudent while respecting the pace of the race. But, by the second lap, conditions improved; I felt fine everywhere and my two slick pit stops also helped me a lot.'
TT week, one of the world's most legendary motorcycling events, lasts until 8 June, the date of the most awaited race: the PokerStars Senior TT Race!
Results
01// Johnson McGuinness - Honda TT Legends - Motul
02// Cameron Donald - Honda TT Legends - Motul
03 // Bruce Anstey – Honda Padgett's MMCG Racing
04// Guy Martin - Tyco Suzuki - Motul
Photo credit: TT Legends Team
