RST Superbike Sunday set for sensational race
The 2015 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy gets underway today with the fans due to be treated to an action-packed RST Superbike Race.
Following a week of unsettled weather that has caused several delays and postponements, Sunday dawned sunny and the Isle of Man meteorological office forecasting ’’prolonged periods of sunshine and a light west or north-westerly wind,’’ adding there might be a very slight risk of an isolated light shower later this afternoon.
The RST Superbike Race is a tantalising prospect for race-goers with very little separating the men at the top of the qualifying board.
The major question is how Michael Dunlop, last year’s winner, will fare on a bike that he has currently only had three laps on in practice.
His last-minute change from Yamaha to BMW machinery means that only during Friday’s qualifying session did he get a chance to get any time on the bike, leaving him with very little data for making adjustments.
Ian Hutchinson, the five-times-in-a-week hero from 2010 looks to be back to his finest form, leading the qualifying times on his PBM Kawasaki.
This footage from practice week gives an idea of the pace that it takes to put in a 130mph+ lap of the Mountain Course.
John McGuinness, the most successful of the current crop of riders with 21 wins to his name, is only rider other than Hutchy to have broken into the 130 ’club’ during practice week and, after a frustrating 2014 TT, can be relied on to be a strong contender for the top step of the podium.
John’s team mate Conor Cummins has had a steady practice week, cracking in laps around the 128mph mark and as a podium finished in both superbike races at the 2014 TT should certainly not be ruled out to repeat the performance.
Guy Martin also finished in the top-three last year and with a shift to powerful BMW machinery with his Tyco BMW Motorrad team will be many fans favourite to take a maiden win.
Guy’s fellow Tyco rider William Dunlop produced some very strong performances during practice week and was leading the Senior TT in 2014 before crashing out so will have his eye on a podium finish.
Always an unknown quantity, Bruce Anstey set the current absolute lap record during the superbike race in 2014 but failed to finish on the podium - at just a shade outside the 130 mark he has already proven his pace this year but will he start the race quick enough to challenge for a win on his Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles Fireblade?
Lincolnshire rider Gary Johnson is yet to show his best form at TT 2015 but the 2014 Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 winner can stay with anyone on his day.
Outside of the top ten #56 Ryan Kneen and #86 Alan Bonner produced some excellent times in qualifying to push themselves well up the grid, to 22nd and 24th respectively.
The full start list can be accessed here and results from qualifying here
Follow all the action with TT Live - the free-to-use live timing service
