John McGuinness is ready for action at the 2012 TT after Superbike win
John McGuinness says he is ready for the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy after a successful trip to the North West 200.
The 17-times TT winner took victory in Saturday’s Superbike race, bringing his Honda TT Legends machine home more than 4 seconds clear of Alastair Seeley.
McGuinness also secured 3rd place in the feature Superbike and opening Superpsort races, as well as 5th in both the second Superstock and Supersport races on the Padgetts Hondas.
The Morecambe star said the event had set him up for the Isle of Man TT, which starts on Saturday.
He said:
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my racing today and I'm really happy with how all of the bikes are performing so it's set me up nicely for the TT and I'm looking forward to getting over to the Island and giving it my best shot once more.”
“I'd love to get another win there, but what will be, will be and I'll just look at doing my best and having a good, safe fortnight.”
Having qualified on the front row for all three of his classes, the NW200 didn't get off to the greatest of starts for McGuinness with 15th in Thursday's wet Superstock race.
However, with perfect weather on Saturday, McGuinness was back to his best.
The day started well with a strong 3rd place in the opening Supersport race and, although William Dunlop was away at the head of the field, McGuinness made Seeley work all race for 2nd place.
At the chequered flag, Padgetts-mounted McGuinness was only a second behind the Suzuki rider.
In the opening Superbike race McGuinness grabbed the holeshot, and, joined by Seeley, soon opened up a gap over the rest of the field. Seeley went into the lead towards the end of lap one, but when he overshot Church Corner a lap later, McGuinness retook the lead and with his advantage over 2nd up to 10 seconds at one stage, he was able to ride to his signals and control the race from the front.
Comfortable in the lead on the Honda TT Legends machine, he was able to ease off in the final laps and claim victory, his 6th around the 8.9-mile circuit.
Strong rides in the second Superstock and Supersport races saw McGuinness bring the Padgetts machines home 5th on each occasion, only half a second off the podium in the Superstock.
The feature Superbike race was the last of the day, and McGuinness led the way on the opening lap. Local favourite Seeley wasn't to be denied and although there was only a second between them at half race distance, he edged away and McGuinness had a battle to keep Michael Rutter behind him for 2nd. Rutter squeezed by on lap five, so McGuinness had to settle for 3rd, his third podium of the day.
McGuinness said:
“What can I say, it's been a great day for me and, apart from the wet race on Thursday evening, I've finished every race inside the top five. To take my sixth win here, and another on the Superbike, was especially pleasing and although Alastair had a bit more pace than me, it's all about getting past the chequered flag first and that's what I did.”
“The bike was fantastic and when I saw '+10' on my pit board I knew that all I had to do was bring the bike home - if someone could take that amount of time out of me in the final two laps, I think I'd have to hang my leathers up!”
“I tried as hard as I could in the second Superbike race, but Alastair and Michael just had that bit extra and I had to settle for 3rd. If someone had offered me a win and a third in the Superbike races before I came here I'd have readily taken them so I'm very happy. Likewise the Supersport races and the 3rd place in the opening race was one of my best rides on a 600cc machine. Alastair's a lot smaller than me so more suited to the Supersport bikes, but I kept him honest throughout and it was very satisfying to run at the same pace as him.”