Hickman breaks into 131 club in Senior
Pictures by Tim Keeton – Impact Images Photography
Peter Hickman rounded off his superb 2015 Isle of Man TT Races campaign with seventh place in Friday afternoon’s Senior TT. Riding the Briggs Equipment BMW, Hickman also set his first 130mph+ laps, recording three in total, and set a new personal best lap of 131.626mph around the Mountain Course.
The Louth-based rider was lying in seventh place when the race was stopped after a lap and a half due to an incident and it was eventually restarted at 2.45pm over the reduced distance of four laps, as opposed to the original six.
Upon the re-start, an opening lap of 130.481mph placed the 28-year old in a strong eighth place and only two seconds behind 11-time TT winner Michael Dunlop. Second time around and Hicky improved his lap speed to 130.511mph to maintain his eighth place. A superb pit stop by the team allowed him to move up to seventh place with just one lap of the race to go.
Circulating on the road with fellow BMW rider David Johnson, the pair really flew on the final lap but Hickman was again the quickest and with a final lap of 131.626mph, he not only became the eighth fastest rider in the history of the event but also claimed a brilliant seventh place finish to ensure he maintained his 100% finishing record at TT 2015.
Peter Hickman:
“Today’s been absolutely mega and the whole two weeks have been awesome. After coming close in the Superstock race, I’m so pleased to get my first 130mph laps in and to end up with a 131.6 is incredible. I’m over the moon with how this year’s TT has gone so a massive thanks to everyone for all their support and especially everyone at Lee Hardy Racing, Briggs Equipment and Jack Valentine at ValMoto.”
Lee Hardy, Team Owner:
“I can’t believe it and what Peter’s achieved today, lapping at 131.6mph in just his second year, is unreal. I did a lap with him in the car on Thursday and really got to appreciate what he does, how good his knowledge is and how much homework he’s put in. It’s credit to the team that they’ve put a bike underneath him capable of such results and speeds and everyone’s hard work has paid off, from the team to the sponsors, everyone.”
Peter now turns his attention back to the British Superbike Championship with the fourth round of the series taking place at Snetterton on June 19-21.