TT 2017: Guy Martin withdraws from Senior TT

Guy Martin will not race in today’s Isle of Man Senior TT after a nightmare two weeks with the Honda Racing squad.

It was announced this morning, just hours before the race was set to get underway, that Martin and the Louth-based squad would withdraw from the blue riband race.

Martin has struggled with the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 all year, something which continued as the team arrived at the TT without star rider John McGuinness, who was injured in a crash at the North West 200.

Confirming the decision, Honda team boss Jonny Twelvetrees made it clear it was Guy’s call to withdraw from the race.

“We’re disappointed not to be taking part in today’s Senior TT,” he said. “Guy informed me that he wouldn’t race in the Senior, which is a tough decision to make but one I can understand given the lack of practice we’ve had.”

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Martin added: “I came back to the TT this year to race and try and win with Honda Racing. I’ve done loads of testing and the team have been flat out, before we got here and at the event. But we’re not doing the times needed to be competitive here, we need more time to set up the bike and doing six laps will not achieve what we set out to do and I’ve always reckoned this is not the place to be out riding just to make up the numbers, so as a team we agreed it wasn’t right competing in the Senior TT.”

Martin will however take part in today’s one lap TT Zero race on the Mugen machine and looks set to continue his relationship with Honda at the 2017 Southern 100 next month.

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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