Blisters on his hands are no problem for Honda star Steve Plater as he continues his preparations for the 2009 Isle of Man TT.
Speaking after the third practice session of the 2009 TT on Tuesday evening, the Woodhall Spa rider revealed the long and bumpy circuit had left him – and other riders – with blisters.
Despite that, he said his performance in the session showed he is getting dialled into the legendary TT course, where he took his maiden win last year.
Conditions on Tuesday evening were slightly easier for riders than the blazing sunshine on Monday evening. Patchy cloud and a blustery breeze helped keep the flies away, much to the riders’ relief.
Plater complete four more laps of the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit, two on the Superstock bike and two on the Supersport. He said all was fine with both machines.
He went out fisrt on the Padgett’s Honda Fireblade in the Superstock practice, still under the HM Plant Honda banner, and posted a couple of strong laps, the best giving him a lap time of 18m12.11s – an average lap speed of 124.372mph, which was good enough for sixth fastest of the evening.
Plater then hopped onto the HM Plant Honda Supersport 600 bike and shot off to take in a further two laps, posting a fastest time of 18m42.62s – a 120.992mph average - to put him into fifth place in that class on the night.
Plater said:
‘We were warned before we set off to take extra care at Ballaugh as the hot weather has caused the tarmac to melt on the approach to the bridge. But everything went fine.’
‘Like most other riders I am suffering from blisters on my hands, it’s a TT thing, we are on the bike so long and on public roads the friction over the bumps does cause a few problems – but nothing I can’t handle.’
‘The bikes are all running well and I am now getting to grips with the course again. I am a lot happier and now know where I am going and feel more comfy on the bike. I seem to be getting dialled in to the TT circuit as opposed to the short circuit so that’s a big help.’
‘Apart from the racing I am doing loads of PR with the HM Plant Honda team. It is nice to be able to meet the public, listen to their views and answer any questions they may ask.’
Practice is schedule to continue at 6.20pm on Wednesday, and you can follow the action as it happens with TT Live!.