Hutchinson chases history as the 2010 Isle of Man TT continues
After bad weather forced the postponement of Wednesday’s racing programme, all eyes are back on the 2010 Isle of Man TT as Ian Hutchinson bids to make history.
The Padgetts Honda rider has already taken victory in all three solo races so far this year and heads into today’s reorganised Monster Energy Supersport 2 event as favourite.
If he does take victory in the four lap race, Hutchy will become only the second man in the event’s 103-year history to win for TT races in a week, matching the record of Phillip McCallen.
However, Hutchinson will face stiff competition from Wilson Craig Honda rider Guy Martin, still chasing his first TT win, Michael Dunlop, who claimed victory in this race last year, Padgetts teammate and 15-times TT winner John McGuinness, the Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing pairing of Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey, as well as many other hard-charging riders.
Hutchinson will also have his eye on the prestigious TT Championship, which he leads with 75 points. Second is Dunlop on 44, with Martin third on the same points.
Competition is much closer on the Privateers Championship, and today’s racing could see the order shaken up again. At the moment James McBride leads with 49 popitns, with Stephen Oates and Davy Morgan on 36 and Paul Dobbs fourth on 30.
The second Sure Sidecar TT will give 14-times TT winner Dave Molyneux, this year partnered by Patrick Farrance, a chance to make up for Saturday’s disappointment. Moly started as hot favourite, but lost out at the end of an epic battle to Klaus Klaffenbock, who finally claimed his first TT. Klaffi, with experienced passenger Dan Sayle, is brimming with confidence following Saturday’s win and is likely to keep the pressure on throughout the three-laps.
However, there is strength throughout the field and the pairings of John Holden/Andrew Winkle, Simon Neary/Paul Knapton and Tim Reeves/Dipash Chauan cannot be discounted.
If today’s scheduled race action goes ahead, the day will finish with the one-lap TT Zero race for electric bikes. Rob Barber on the Team Agni machine, who won the TTXGP race last year, and Mark Miller on the Moto Czysz start as favourites.
The revised racing schedule for Thursday will see the Mountain section of the course from Ramsey Hairpin to the Creg-ny-Baa close at 11am and the rest of the course at 11.30am.
At 12.15pm there will be a single practice lap for the Dainese Senior TT and at 1pm the second Sure Sidecar race is schedule to start.
The four-lap Monster Energy Supersport 2 TT expected to get under way at 3pm and the day’s programme is due to conclude with the one-lap TT Zero race for electric bikes starting at 5pm.
The provisional time for the roads to start re-opening is now 5.30pm.
For the latest information please listen to Manx Radio TT on 1368MW or 87.9FM in the Douglas area, or call the roads information phoneline on 01624 685 888.
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