John McGuinness MBE secures impressive 6th place finish in the opening RST Superbike Race
John McGuinness MBE delivers a hard-fought performance in the opening RST Superbike Race at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races on his way to securing sixth position aboard his Fireblade. At 51 years of age, John’s determination and speed throughout this 1-hour and 46-minute long opening Superbike race in soaring track temperature was extremely impressive. Such was the heat, that race control would provide a warning over the tannoy prior to race start encouraging riders to remain hydrated.
The suspense had gradually increased throughout practice week with sensational lap times achieved up and down the grid, so come race day as the bikes lined up on the Glencrutchery Road the atmosphere was electric.
John’s opening lap of the race from a standing start was in fact his quickest of the race as he lapped at an average speed of 130.44 mph. Come the end of the opening lap John was sitting well inside the top ten positions in seventh place.
As his second lap came to an end, John, who had passed fellow Honda rider David Johnson on the road, entered the pits some ten seconds behind Jamie Coward on his KTS Racing Fireblade. The Honda Racing team then executed their race pit stop flawlessly, to refuel and change the slick Metzeler rear, all in just 52.865 seconds. Reducing the gap to Coward by eight seconds in the process as John rolled out of pit lane once more.
Back on the Mountain Course, John was running in procession with those in front of him on the timing screens, as he, James Hillier and Coward all lapped in close proximity through to the next stop on lap four. Renowned for his silky smooth riding style John was able to keep the gap to those in front of him to just ten seconds.
With a final lap speed of 129.098 mph, John crossed the finish line of the 226-mile race in sixth position. In doing so, he completed the 105th TT race that he has contested. John is only the fourth rider to have competed in 105 or more TT races.
The race was won by Michael Dunlop aboard his Hawk Racing Fireblade. His win, the second of this year's event, places him tied for total wins with John McGuinness. Who, in a display of total class, was amongst the first to congratulate his competitor in Parc Ferme.
Looking ahead, the team have their sights set on the upcoming 3-lap RL360 Superstock TT Race 1 on Tuesday 6th June.
#1 John McGuinness MBE
I think the top 6 result is an honest result of where we are at the moment. We’ve had a great practice week and everyone is enjoying themselves and no one is ‘stressing or owt’. All the Honda gaffers are here, all the dealers are here and we are having a good time.There is nowhere to hide in that top-ten, they are all fast guys. I’ve been away at number one, I’ve been away at number two, three and a lot of numbers. If you are fast enough you get away and you go. I thought this year we would mix it up a little bit and go at three. I thought going away from three would be good to chase someone down, but in all honesty, Dean is just a little bit too quick for me to chase.On that first lap, I could see the helicopter coming and I thought ‘Jesus is that Dunlop already!’ I looked over my shoulder at the Creg and saw he was coming so I eased up and let him pass and I’m glad he went on to win the race.Anyone who has ever done this race, who has a licence to compete and who has done it will know, this is not easy. Michael has not won many big bike races, he has all the potential to do it, but somehow it’s not really happened for him, he’s won lots of the smaller bike classes. But that will be the monkey off his shoulder. I pulled up, and respect to the kid, we all know what he’s been through which must be tough for him. But I respect him, he’s grafting and putting all the preparation in. It’s a fantastic Honda win, he’s proven that it’s the winning package.Respect to Coward too, he’s in a private Honda team and he’s gone and got a fifth. Fair play.RST Superbike Race 1 - 6th
International Road Racing 2023
Isle of Man TT, RST Superbike Race 1
