Anstey’s record-breaking Superstock TT victory
Conditions for the PokerStars Superstock TT were perfect as final preparations were put into place for the scheduled 12.15pm start.
Pauline Jefferies, wife of Tony and mum of David, waved the flag to set number one Ryan Farquhar off at the start of the 4-lap Superstock.
Farquhar was ahead on the roads at Glen Helen, but it was Bruce Anstey who had the advantage on time by 3.79 seconds from HM Plants riders Ian Hutchinson and John McGuinness.
The Kiwi was also fastest through the Sulby Speed Trap at 182.90 mph.
McGuinness had the better of his teammate at Ramsey, but by only 0.05 of a second, as Anstey extended his lead to 7.83 seconds. The lead was over 10-seconds at the Bungalow.
Anstey completed his first lap at 128.297mph, a new record, to lead by 12.96 seconds from the HM Honda pairing of John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson. Finnegan, Martin and Farquhar completed the top six.
The lead extended to 17 seconds-plus at Glen Helen on lap two, as Guy Martin got the better of Martin Finnegan on time at the same spot.
By Ballaugh on the second lap, Anstey was ahead on the road and, by Ramsey, it was McGuinness who was just behind him at the Hairpin. By the Bungalow the time gap was 21 seconds, while Martin had got the better of Hutchinson.
The end of the second circuit saw another lap record for Anstey, with 128.400mph.
Martin slowed at the Creg-ny-Baa, reportedly out of fuel. Farquhar was also reported as being out of petrol at Bedstead.
Anstey's lead was 23.16 seconds as he started the third lap. The positions at the end of lap two were Anstey, McGuinness, Hutchinson, Finnegan, Conor Cummins and James McBride.
By the Bungalow on the penultimate lap the gap between the race leaders was 24 seconds. Anstey and McGuinness passed the Grandstand at 169.70mph and 163.50mph respectively as they started their last lap.
At Glen Helen the difference was 29 seconds between Anstey and McGuinness, and by Ballaugh it was 32 seconds.
Anstey clocked 182.90 through the Sulby speed trap on his last tour, and John McGuinness recorded175.20mph.
By the Bungalow the gap was 35 seconds.
As Anstey crossed the finish line he took victory, his sixth TT win, and a new race record. HM Plant Honda teammates McGuinness and Hutchinson finished second and third. Martin Finnegan brings the MV Agusta home in 4fourth place, with Cummins and Mark Parrett completing the top six.