'Safety is paramount' says John McGuinness after Senior TT cancellation
Cancelling the PokerStars Senior TT was disappointing, but the right decision according to 19-times TT winner John McGuinness.
Organisers made the difficult decision not to run the Senior on Saturday afternoon as inclement weather conditions continued to disrupt the schedule.
The race was postponed due to rain on Friday and on Saturday, after lengthy delays and a course inspection, is was decided, on safety grounds, not to run the Senior.
It is the first time ever the TT has been run without the Senior race taking place.
Fans were treated to some race action as the BikerPetition.co.uk Lightweight TT took place over three laps, but as McGuinness didn’t have an entry in that race, the cancellation of the Senior brought his campaign to a premature end.
However, it still proved a great TT for the Morecambe star. He claimed wins 18 and 19, in the Dainese Superbike and Royal London 360 Superstock races, and took 4th and 5th in the two Monster Energy Supersport TTs.
McGuinness retained the Joey Dunlop Trophy for the overall TT Championship by collecting 74 points, seven more than nearest rival Bruce Anstey.
In addition, McGuinness had his first outing in the SES TT Zero race for clean emission bikes, riding for Mugen, and took second behind Michael Rutter, breaking the 100mph average lap speed barrier on his first attempt.
Although the Senior was cancelled, McGuinness did take to the track, riding in the Monster Energy parade lap alongside MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow.
McGuinness said:
“No one wants to see a race cancelled, but I think the right decision was made. There was so much rainfall on Friday that the course was saturated and on some parts of the course it simply wasn't drying up.”
“Through Glen Helen, the 13th Milestone and from the Mountain Mile to Brandywell were still very wet. As riders, we want to put on a show for the thousands of fans that come to the TT - and I feel for them more so than anyone - but not knowing what lies round the corner on a 200bhp Superbike with slick tyres is a very scary prospect.”
“When conditions are perfect, there's no better place in the world to race a motorbike and we've seen some fantastic racing this weekend, so it's a shame to end on a bit of a low note, but we'll all be back next year to give it another go.”
“Rider safety is paramount and we've had a good fortnight with no serious accidents so I think the Clerk of the Course is to be commended not just for his decision today, but for everything that's been done at this year's TT.”
He added:
“I didn't get to race my Honda TT Legends Superbike machine, but I did get to ride it in a parade lap and it was an absolute thrill to go round the course and wave at all the fans that were lining the course.”
“It felt very, very special and I enjoyed every single second of it as I'm sure Cal did to.”
“Overall, I've had another great TT and to add two more wins to my collection has been brilliant, particularly the Superstock victory as that's one I've been chasing for some time.”
“It also felt special to take a podium in the TT Zero race on the Mugen Shinden, whilst I was also competitive in the two Supersport races. It's been hard work as always but the racing has been superb and I'd like to thank all the team for their hard work.”
“Everyone's been 100% behind me whilst the fans never cease to amaze me and their support continues to remain invaluable.”