Isle of Man TT and John McGuinness honoured in review of the decade
Tuesday 09 February 2010
TT
Multiple Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness has been named as one of the top three motorcycle racers of the decade.
In a review of the past decade, motorcycle magazine Fast Bikes selected the three leading ‘Men of the Decade’.
The 15-times TT winner and outright lap record holder was placed third, behind MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and three-times Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss.
Explaining the Morecambe man’s selection, the magazine says:
"Another down-to-earth fella, McGuinness’s achievements at the Isle of Man speak for themselves. 15 race wins and a further 14 podiums could go to a man’s head – but not McGuinness’s."
"Having served a long apprenticeship on the Island, and tragically losing some of his best mates in the process, his success hasn’t been instant, but his phenomenal legacy will remain forever."
McGuinness will be hoping to build on his success of the last 10 years when he returns to action at the 2010 TT.
The TT and McGuinness topped one category in the Fast Bikes review of the decade – Landmarks. The magazine selected the first 130mph lap of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course - set in 2007 - as the number one landmark, ahead of the seven World Supersport Championship victories of the Honda CBR600RR and the final two stroke pole.
Explaining the decision, the magazine says:
"The 130mph lap had been teasing the TT’s best riders for years. No matter how quick or competitive the field it remained tantalisingly distant, no matter the improvements in machinery and the course itself."
"But the barrier was finally broken at the TT’s centenary event when McGuinness lapped the course in 17 minutes 21.99 seconds – a blistering 130.354mph."