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Second Isle of Man TT podium for John McGuinness

© Martin Coard
By Phil Wain
June 6 2007
John McGuinness’ excellent start to his 2007 Isle of Man TT campaign showed no sign of slowing down today, as he claimed a fighting second place in the four-lap Superstock race, riding the HM Plant Honda FireBlade, it was the first Superstock race for John all season.

Although he was unable to get the better of the flying Kiwi Bruce Anstey, John was inside the old lap record and was able to stand on the TT podium for the 23rd time in his career.

With glorious conditions on the Island, John set off from his usual number 3 at a frenetic pace, and he completed his first lap at a speed of 126.746mph. Unfortunately for the Morecambe man, the Suzuki of Anstey had gone even quicker, and he found himself nine seconds in arrears. Try as he might, there was no catching Anstey, and whilst John increased his speed on lap two to 127.174mph he was slipping further behind. Reknowned for being the Superstock ‘King’, Anstey continued to extend his advantage - but John was secure in second and he brought the machine home for yet another superb TT result.

Speaking afterwards, John said:
“I gave it my all today and I felt I rode the first nine miles to Glen Helen as hard as I ever have done - I was really trying hard. When I saw my first signal saying ‘P2 -5.5’ I couldn’t believe it, and I thought whoever was leading must have been really on it. The bike was good enough to win today, but Bruce was the better man on the day, so fair play to him. The speeds he did are incredible and I’ve got to take my hat off to him, he’s definitely the King of the Superstocks!

“I had a great start and the bike never missed a beat, so it’s testament as to how good road bikes are nowadays. The pit stop was perfect so it was a great race and I did my very best, which is all you can do. The sun was shining, there were loads of people out on the course again, and I thoroughly enjoyed the race, so I’m happy with second - it’s a good result for all of us.”

John’s next race is tomorrow’s four-lap Supersport race, where he will line up on his regular British Supersport Championship Padgett’s Honda. The race gets underway at 10:45am.


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