McGuinness lucky to avoid injury after collision with bird

Honda Racing rider John McGuinness was lucky to escape injury during yesterday’s opening day of practice for the North West 200 – after a high speed coming together with a bird on the Triangle circuit.

McGuinness was on the opening lap of the superstock session – his first time in anger on his own Honda Fireblade – when he came into contact with the winged obstacle on one of the fastest sections of the eight mile course. “

I was coming down into the Magerabouy Chicane about 180mph and saw this little black dot appear – and the next thing I knew I got this huge whack on the shoulder. I’ve got a pretty big bruise on there and I’m feeling a bit second hand, a bit battered and bruised – but it won’t hold me back too much tomorrow.”

He returns to action at the Northern Irish event tomorrow morning, with qualifying preceding the first three races of the weekend.