Ryan Farquhar 'over the moon' with third TT win
Lightweight TT hero Ryan Farquhar is over the moon after claiming his third TT win in the final race of the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Dungannon man dominated the three-lap BikerPetition.co.uk Lightweight race on Saturday afternoon, taking the victory by almost 30 seconds.
The KMR Kawasaki racer was widely expected to win the race, but he admitted he was relieved to take the chequered flag to cap what had been a good fortnight.
Farquhar said:
“I’ve worked so hard for this and am absolutely over the moon to have won the race.”
“I was pretty nervous before the race as a lot of people were saying I was the clear favourite, whilst I was also putting myself under a fair bit of pressure, so to actually get the win is superb.”
Adverse weather conditions meant the race was postponed from Friday and delayed heavily on Saturday, eventually getting under way at 6.25pm.
The gap between Farquhar and James Hillier at Glen Helen, 9 miles into the race, was just two seconds, but Farquhar continually extended his lead and with an opening lap of 115.088mph, he led the race by 14.11s.
He opted to pit for fuel at the end of the lap, while Hillier went straight through to lead by more than 20 seconds. Farquhar made short work of the gap, reeling in his younger rival over the course of the lap and the deficit was down to just 6.76s as Hillier refuelled.
Through Glen Helen on the third lap Farquhar led Hillier by 28 seconds, while fellow KMR Kawasaki rider Michael Rutter was up to third. Positions remained the same for the remainder of the lap and Farquhar came home 28.99s clear of Hillier with Rutter setting the fastest lap of the race, 115.554mph, to take 3rd.
It was Farquhar’s first TT win since 2005, his third in total and also his 13th TT podium.
Farquhar said:
“Conditions weren’t too bad and I expected it to be worse than what it was so I took it steady to begin with, sussed out where the damp conditions were and then rode as fast and as steady as I could.”
“The bike never missed a beat and once I could see James in the distance, I knew I was catching him up on time. The strategy went like a dream and the whole race went like clockwork.”
“I’ve tried to push the class as much as I could and whilst everyone said I was the favourite, it’s never as simple as that. There’s always pressure so to be sitting here with a 1-3 for the team is unreal. I did a lot of work on James’ bike so I’ll take some credit for that as well!”
He added:
“I'd also like to say a big thank you to Kawasaki who continue to be 100% behind me and also to all the team sponsors who's support is invaluable - if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here today. It was a shame I struggled with the Superbike and couldn't get it to handle but, overall, all the other races have gone well and it's been a good 2012 TT for me.”
“There was also a brilliant end to the week for KMR Racing’s Jamie Hamilton as he finished 10th, to win his first silver replica. He also lapped at 112.149mph and the result earned him the coveted Newcomers Trophy.
Farquhar said:
“It was also very pleasing to see Jamie finish his TT week on a high. A few silly little problems have prevented him getting a finish so to come 10th and win the Newcomers Trophy is a brilliant end to his week.”
“He's ridden very well and enjoyed it immensely, which is exactly what we all wanted so it bodes well for the years ahead.”