TT 2017: Hickman: 'If I wasn't a fanny on lap one I could have won!'

Peter Hickman has said he believes he could have won today’s opening RST Superbike Isle of Man TT race had he not been too cautious on the opening lap.

The Smiths BMW rider shot to his debut mountain course podium after an intense battle for the lead with Tyco BMW’s Ian Hutchinson.
Hickman reeled in his BMW counterpart’s lead from nine seconds to 1.6sec on the final lap, but after almost running out of fuel at the Creg ny Ba he’d eventually cross the line five seconds behind.

Having won the race on the road, only losing time to Hutchinson in pit stops, Hickman knows where he can gain more time as he continues to learn the 37.73-mile mountain course. 

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“If I wasn’t such a fanny on the first lap I might have won!” he told MCN. “I did what I said I was going to do, steady way, tried to get myself into a rhythm. The bike worked mint, the boys did a great job. They were slower in the pit stop but it is what it is, it’s very easy to lose time by rushing than it is to gain time by being really fast. They did a great job and I’m happy with the result.

 “I had to do it this year. I said I could have had a podium in the Senior last year so I had to follow it up this year! I’m really happy, it’s mega to get a podium and to start it with a big bike podium is even better.

 “It’s still only year four for me, so we’ve got to take a podium. I was still a chunk away, especially on the first laps so we’ll start working towards the rest of the week.” 

Pick up a copy of our special edition McGuinness: Ordinary bloke. Extraordinary Racer. This special from MCN, celebrates the career of one of the sport’s best-loved road racers. Affectionately known as McPint, John’s career has wowed and entertained bike racing fans for more than 20 years. Buy it here. 

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