The Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 at the 2012 Isle of Man TT has been named ‘Race of the Year’ by a leading road racing magazine.
The four-lap Supersport TT proved a real thriller, with Michael Dunlop, Gary Johnson, Cameron Donald, William Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar all in the mix, but the victory would eventually go to Bruce Anstey on the Padgetts Honda.
Michael Dunlop had been the early runaway leader, but retired on lap three, setting up a thrilling finale.
New Zealand racer Anstey was lying in fourth on lap three, but increased his pace to claw back the leaders and move to the front on the Mountain section during the final lap.
An amazing final lap saw the veteran take the win by less than a second, a fitting end to a race now described as the best road race showdown of 2012 by Road Racing Ireland magazine’s 2012 Yearbook.
Editor-in-chief Leslie Moore said:
“He (Anstey) had set his fastest speed on the last lap to snatch the victory by 0.77 seconds. Donald took second as Johnson ran out of fuel, giving William his first TT podium finish, and all three shared their delight in the winners’ enclosure after a great TT race.”
“A relieved Anstey was quick to point out that he also ran out of fuel as he crossed the line, but at the end of the day it was his 9th TT victory, and closest.”
“It was not only a great race, but a great moment seeing a rejuvenated 42-year-old winning another TT on the last flying lap.”
He concluded:
“Anstey proved you can still win a TT race by less than a second.”