Emotional McGuinness celebrates win
Bennetts Superbike TT winner John McGuinness admitted he was close to tears on the last of the race’s six laps.
As he closed on the chequered flag to take victory – his 12th at the TT – the Morecambe man said he was welling up with emotion.
Speaking afterwards the 34-year-old said:
‘I wanted to win one, I wanted to win a Centenary TT and to win one, I’m just speechless.’
‘I not normally an emotional type of person, but I have never seen so many people out around the course in my life. I absolutely appreciate it.’
‘I wanted to give them a big wave, but I didn’t dare.’
‘At the Centenary TT to win one, at the 100th anniversary, it’s amazing.’
After taking the lead on the road early on the first lap, McGuinness built up an
unbeatable lead from Guy Martin. Two excellent pit stops secured his position.
He lead home a Honda one-two-three, with his HM Plant teammate Ian Hutchinson third.
McGuinness said:
‘It is fantastic for Honda, and the mechanics and all the team. It is a team I have 100 per cent faith in.’
He claimed a new Superbike record during the race, but was short of the 130mph record. As soon as he finished McGuinness was bombarded with questions about when his own outright lap record would fall.
He said that figure could still be reached, but added:
‘I’m not too worried about lap times. I won the race and I’m just going to stand on the top step and enjoy it.’