Donald out of Centenary TT
Cameron Donald, who was hotly tipped for success at the Centenary TT, will miss the event, it has been confirmed.
The Australian suffered a suspected broken collar bone after a heavy fall in the main Superbike race at the North West 200 on Saturday. His crash meant the race was over just three laps.
The TT podium-finisher will not compete at the Centenary TT according to Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager for the Isle of Man Department of Tourism and Leisure.
Writing on the iomtt.com forums Mr Phillips said:
'I regret to have to confirm that Cameron Donald will miss this year's Isle of Man TT. He will not be replaced in the Uel Duncan Racing Team for the event.'
Despite the setback for Donald, the North West allowed several leading TT riders to show their strengths ahead of the Centenary event, which starts on May 26.
Bruce Anstey dominated, taking three wins for the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team. He was never troubled in the Superstock race, heading the field throughout and setting a new class lap record of 121.901mph.
In the two Supersport races the five-times TT winner battled with John McGuinness, the outright TT lap record holder, Guy Martin and British Superbike star Steve Plater, who will make his TT debut this year, before taking victory in both. He also set another class lap record, at 118.407mph.
Luck was obviously with the New Zealander - Anstey was given second place in the opening Superbike race despite the event being cut short thanks to him crashing at York Corner. McGuinness, the 11-times TT winner, took the top step of the podium.
McGuinness also took two second and two fourth places, while Plater took victory in the main Superbike race - shortened by Donald's accident - as well as recording second, third and fourth-place finishes.
Anstey said:
'I was a bit disappointed not to have given myself a better chance on the Superbike as I really felt I could have been in with a shout in both, but that’s racing and I can’t be greedy I suppose.'
'The first race crash was fairly low speed and I did give myself a bit of a bashing, but the two bikes the team prepared for me in the Supersport and Superstock events were faultless.'
'Big credit must go to the boys in the garage and of course Suzuki for producing the worlds best production machines. We are now in a great position heading to the TT at the end of the month.'
Teammate Adrian Archibald had a positive day as he prepared for the TT.
He was involved in a six-way battle for the final podium place in the Superstock event before settling for eighth place. He finished a solid eighth in the main Superbike race.
Archibald said:
'Not standing on the podium is always disappointing for any rider, but the North West has now become a short circuit type event.'
'Apart from Bruce, who did a great job for the team, it’s the BSB regulars that make up the top placings and some of the bar bashing involved is not for me.
'I’m pleased enough with the progress we have made with bikes, tyres and suspension and I’m in a confident frame of mind for the Centenary TT, which suits my style of riding.'
Commenting on Anstey's success, team principal Philip Neill said:
'We have a great set-up on the big bike for the TT.'
'We have turned the GSX–R600 Suzuki into a real rocket ship over the past two years to the bemusement of other teams both here and in England.'
He added:
'Adrian had a positive day and was in the mix early on in the Superstock race. He was outdone for third by what I would call short circuit racing tactics, tactics that now have to be adopted to win at the North West 200, but he’s on course with his preparation for the TT so we’re all fairly happy.'