Isle of Man TT: McGuinness sets the pace with 128mph lap

John McGuinness topped the leaderboard in the first official timed practice session of the 2010 TT this evening.

The HM Plant Honda rider was on a flyer on his second lap and went to the top of the leaderboard at 128.06mph.

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He said: “I’m well impressed with how the bike’s performing. We made a few alterations after Saturday and they were definitely for the better. I’m really happy with the bike, the only problem again tonight was the bright sun, it was a bit tricky in places.”

Adrian Archibald and Conor Cummins slotted in to second and third at 126.743mph and 126.167mph respectively while Guy Martin was getting in to the groove with two laps in excess of 125mph although he commented later,

“I’m still having a few stability issues with the big bike but the improvements we made after Saturday were a step in the right direction so we’re heading in the right direction.

Michael Dunlop failed to get out on the Norton this evening as the team were still awaiting parts after Saturday night’s breakdown, the youngster comparing the bike to ‘like riding a gate!’

The problem, a rotor bearing failure, occurred on the approach to Glen Helen in what was the bike’s first ever outing but, prior to that, chief engineer Brian Crighton reported the engine performance had been as good as expected.

This evening’s practice session was held in dry, bright and warm conditions with the Island continuing to bask in tropical like temperatures although this also meant the vast amount of flies were again a major problem for the riders. Just like Saturday’s untimed practice, the strong sun was again a significant hazard.

Once more there was a delay, this time for marshals being moved around the course but at 6.40pm, three remaining Sidecar newcomers were despatched for their sighting lap with German solo rider Rico Penzkofer following shortly afterwards.

At 7pm, it was Ian Hutchinson and Michael Rutter who led off the line, both riders on their Superbikes, and they were followed by Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey.

Steve Plater and Guy Martin were the next to go whilst John McGuinness was in the 7th pairing with Mats Nilsson, the latter on his Supersport machine. Plater was also on his Supersport bike whilst Donald, Johnson, Martin were out on their Superstock.

Rutter, back at the TT for the first time since 2007 only arrived on the island in the afternoon whilst his mechanic Jason Jones only left Crescent Suzuki’s Dorset base at 4.30am on Monday morning.

However, he was delighted to be back earlier quipping, ‘it’s lovely to be back, especially with weather like this. I’m just going to go for a lap to have a look at the course and see where we are with the bike.’

Rutter had an eventful session. On the first lap the gear lever broke on the way out of Crosby leaving him stuck in 6th gear for the rest of the lap and he then ran out of fuel on the second at Ramsey.

He was able to get going though after borrowing some petrol from a spectator.

In the F2 Sidecars, Nick Crowe/Mark Cox led the field away followed by Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle with John Holden/Andy Winkle jumping ahead of Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance. Molyneux topped the timesheets at 114.697mph.

Times:

Dainese Superbike TT
1 John McGuinness (HM Plant Honda) – 128.067mph
2 Adrian Archibald (AMA Suzuki) – 126.743mph
3 Conor Cummins (McAdoo Kawasaki Racing) – 122.167mph
4 Guy Martin (Hydrex Honda) – 125.431mph
5 Gary Johnson (Robinson Concrete Honda) – 125.187mph
6 Ryan Farquhar (Team Alfs Kawasaki) – 124.440mph

Relentless Supersport TT
1 Ian Hutchinson (600 Padgetts Honda) – 122.631mph
2 Ryan Farquhar (600 KMR Kawasaki) – 122.433mph
3 Michael Dunlop (600 Street Sweep/Marlow Yamaha) – 122.158mph
4 Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda) – 121.419mph
5 Mats Nilsson (600 Blackhorse Yamaha) – 121.057mph
6 Olie Linsdell (600 Flitwick Yamaha) – 120.141mph

Royal London 360◦ Superstock TT
1 John McGuinness (Padgetts Honda) – 124.684mph
2 Ian Hutchinson (Padgetts Honda) – 124.224mph
3 Bruce Anstey (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) – 123.529mph
4 Keith Amor (Wilson Craig Honda) – 123.460mph
5 Cameron Donald (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) – 122.905mph
6 Guy Martin (Hydrex Honda) – 122.823mph

Sure Sidecar TT
1 Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle (A&J Racing Suzuki) – 114.697mph
2 Phil Dongworth/Gary Partridge (WAS Auto Centre Honda) – 112.400mph
3 Klaus Klaffenbock/Darren Hope (Manx Gas Racing Honda) – 109.943mph
4 John Holden/Andy Winkle (Suzuki) – 108.775mph
5 Greg Lambert/Dipash Chauhan (GLR Honda) – 108.512mph
6 Conrad Harrison/Kerry Williams (Printing Roller Services Honda) – 108.138mph