McGuinness reflects on historic victory
Isle of Man TT hero John McGuinness has been reflecting on the historic race that made him a 14-times winner around the world-famous Mountain course.
After a difficult week that had seen him suffer mechanical problems, the Morecambe man roared back to the top step of the podium in Friday’s Dainese Senior TT, the blue riband event.
The victory brought him equal on TT wins with the great Mike Hailwood, with only the legendary Joey Dunlop enjoying more success in the Isle of Man.
The win didn’t come easy though. Riding the Padgett’s Manx Gas Racing Honda, McGuinness was embroiled in a titanic battle with the Relentless by TAS Suzuki pairing of Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald.
The lead changed hands no less than eight times during the six-lap Senior, and until the last lap it really was anyone’s race.
Anstey retired in the pits at the end of lap two with mechanical problems, but Donald, a winner of two TT races in 2008, kept up the pressure until, on the final lap, he suffered an oil leak and was forced to reduce his speed.
That allowed McGuinness to take the chequered flat more than 50 seconds ahead of the young Australian, who salvaged second place despite his mechanical woes. Ian Hutchinson finished a distant third for AIM Yamaha.
With the fastest lap of the race, at an average speed of 129.517mph, McGuinness surged ahead and he wheelied over the finish line to become the joint second most successful rider in TT history.
Reflecting on one of the great TT races, McGuinness said:
‘What a race – absolutely incredible, and what a day to do it. It’s 30 years since Mike Hailwood made his comeback in 1978 and to equal his tally of wins with both Mike’s wife and son here is something special.
‘I had a bit of forearm pump in the early stages and made a couple of mistakes and when Conor Cummins blew up in front of me, I wasn’t sure if it was his bike or mine that was blowing out oil.’
‘We had two fantastic pit stops, but I’ve never been in a race so close. There was nothing between any of us, but I’m delighted to have taken the win.’
‘Clive and the team, Tom, Ian everyone, they all did a great job and they couldn’t have done anything more for me.’
‘I thoroughly enjoyed myself out there, so I hope all the fans out on the course did as well – I’m glad the week has finished off with the British anthem playing as well!’
McGuinness returns to British Supersport Championship duty at Snetterton this weekend.
Phil Wain
Read the official report of the Dainese Senior TT and download the race results.