Cummins says 2009 TT beyond his wildest dreams
Manxman Conor Cummins says his performance at the 2009 Isle of Man TT was ‘beyond my wildest dreams’.
The 23-year-old claimed his first TT podiums during a hectic week of racing around the legendary 37.73-mile Mountain course.
After a far from ideal start to race week, Cummins enjoyed an incredible close to the 2009 TT.
Racing McAdoo Kawasakis, the Ramsey man took third in the second Relentless Supersport race and a magnificent second in the Pokerstars Senior TT.
He also record his fastest ever lap of the TT course, an incredible average speed of 130.225mph on the fourth lap of the Senior TT. Not only did that lap confirm his place as fastest Manxman, it also makes him the third fastest rider in the history of the TT and one of only three riders to break the magical 130mph barrier in racing.
Cummins made good use of perfect conditions in practice week, finishing seventh in the superbike class and eighth in Superstock.
It looked good for the opening event, the Dainese Superbike TT, which was delayed fro two days because of rain.
On the opening lap Cummins moved straight into second place, with a blistering starting speed, and increased his speed to 129.322mph on lap two. Problems in the pits saw Cummins fall back to sixth place, which he maintained going into lap six, the final lap.
Disaster struck with just seven miles to go, the Kawasaki’s engine blowing at the Verandah.
He bounced back in the first Relentless Supersport race, completing three of the four laps at more than 127mph and finishing 10th. That was followed by a strong sixth in the four-lap royal London 360 Superstock race.
The second Relentless Supersport race was delayed for more than three hours due to rain and when the four lap race did get underway, sections of the course were still damp.
Despite the tricky conditions, Cummins showed his intentions early on to move into second, a position he maintained for three laps. As the track dried, TAS Suzuki’s Bruce Anstey, lying third, started piling on the pressure and a mistake by the Manxman going into his fourth and final lap – he hit the Kawasaki’s kill switch on Glencrutchery Road and suffered a dramatic fall in speed – allowed the Kiwi to pass.
Anstey’s advantage at the chequered flag was just 0.71 seconds after 150 racing miles and, although disappointed by his mistake, Cummins was delighted to secure his first TT podium.
Just two days later he scored his second podium in the blue riband Pokerstars Senior TT – the biggest race of the week.
With a new engine in the Kawasaki superbike, Cummins putting in a stunning opening lap of 129.744mph to move into third, with only the factory-backed Hondas of John McGuinness and Steve Plater ahead.
He maintained his position with another staggering circuit on lap two – upping his average speed to 129.839mph.
A good stop saw him hold onto third as he left the pits and when McGuinness retired on lap four with a broken chain, Cummins was up into second.
In addition to securing second place, Cummins also broke the 130mph barrier with a lap of 130.225mph to cap off a brilliant end to the week.
Cummins said:
‘The week didn't get off to the greatest of starts, but I kept plugging away and we were rewarded with two podium finishes - to be honest, it's beyond my wildest dreams and it's going to take a while before it sinks in properly.’
‘We'd been up against it all week with the 600 so the damp conditions played into my hands a bit. It was really tricky on the first lap and there definitely could have been a bit of carnage, but we all got through it and I was delighted to take third. I made a mistake when I hit the kill switch but I got it going again and held on for my first rostrum.’
‘If I thought Wednesday was good, then Friday was simply superb. I'd been feeling really comfortable on the Superbike all week and although I was trying really hard, I had no moments whatsoever, the bike worked perfectly. To finish second, and lap at over 130mph, in the Senior TT feels absolutely brilliant and it's a dream come true to be standing on the podium.’
‘I've got to say a massive thank you to McAdoo Racing, Pirelli and all my personal sponsors for their support as I couldn't have done it without them.’
‘It's been a great week and I'm already looking forward to coming back in 2010 and getting on to the top step!’