Mixed BSB return so far for McGuinness

TT legend John McGuinness is having his first British Superbike outing this weekend in almost four years and it’s proving to be a mixed bag so far for the HM Plant Honda rider.

You have to go back to Silverstone 2005 to find the last time the Morecambe man featured in the BSB results when he had a handful of races for the Vitrans Honda team and whilst he’s certainly enjoying himself at Cadwell Park, it’s also proving to have its frustrations.
 
Riding an altered version of his TT Superbike-winning machine, an oil leak in first free practice saw him sit out half of the session whilst he ground to a halt in this morning’s third and final free practice when the bike dropped a valve.

Despite having lost almost an hour’s track time, McGuinness has set the 14th fastest lap of the weekend so far, less than a second off second placed Stuart Easton, and is hoping to improve again in qualifying this afternoon.
 
“It’s never easy jumping on a bike and joining a series mid-way through the year as every one else knows their bikes inside out and have the momentum to get on the pace straightaway so I’m in at the deep end a fair bit.

“I wouldn’t say things have changed much since the last time I rode a Superbike here and although the names might be different it’s still as tough as ever.”
 
“I feel like I’ve been riding well this weekend and aren’t a million miles away but we’ve had a few little niggling problems that have seen me miss the equivalent of one full practice session.

“I’m not that far off the pace though and half a second would put me comfortably inside the top ten so that’s the aim for qualifying.

“There’s not one area where I’m struggling, it’s just a case of improving a little bit at each corner and if I can do that, I’ll be able to take a few tenths off my time.”
 
“I’m really enjoying being back in BSB though, it was an unexpected chance and something that you can’t turn down.

“I enjoy working with the lads in the team and if I can have two good races and get inside the top ten I’ll be over the moon.”