Guy Martin says 'disastrous' TT down to bad luck
Guy Martin’s ‘disastrous’ Isle of Man TT was the result of bad luck and not a lack of hard work, according to the Kirmington ace.
Martin went into the 2008 TT as one of the favourites to dominate, but came away from the two week festival with a string of retirements and only a third place in the Scottish Life International Superstock race as his best result.
The frustrating fortnight came to an end on Friday during the Dainese Senior TT when, as he exited the pits to start lap three, the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda refused to fire up.
Martin got the bike started, but stopped again at Quarterbridge, this time for good.
He had been involved in the titanic battle for the lead in the opening phase of the Senior race, just as he had in the Dainese Superbike TT almost a week earlier. Martin was also forced out of that race, on lap four, with mechanical problems.
Speaking after retiring from the Senior TT, Martin revealed his strong showing on the opening laps had come despite the bike already showing signs of the issues which would force his retirement.
It was later revealed an electrical fault was robbing the machine of power, leaving the bike refusing to start when he left the pits to head out on his third lap. Although he got going again, a complete generator failure saw his race end just a mile later.
A very dejected Martin said:
‘It's been a disastrous TT for me and I don't know what I've done to get the luck, or lack of it, that I've had – anybody would think I've been walking under ladders and breaking mirrors and all sorts!’
‘I knew as soon as I left the line that the bike wasn't right and although I was able to hang in there I wasn't riding the race I wanted to be doing. When I came into the pits, I said to the boys that she wasn't running right, but we perserved. When she didn't fire up, I knew it was over.’
‘I got going, but the bike was missing and allsorts so I pulled in and that was that.’
‘Everyone in the team has worked their backsides off this fortnight and all the problems have been out of our hands - it's no-ones fault and there's nothing more we could have done.’
‘I guess it just wasn't meant to be my year so I'll get back to work and start looking forward to next year's TT.’
There’s little break for Martin as he’s back out in the British Superbike Championship this next weekend with the latest round taking place at Snetterton.
Read the official report on the Dainese Senior TT and download results from all races and practice sessions.