TT 2017: Hutchinson trying to forget 2016 conditions

Ian Hutchinson has said he needs to try and forget about last year’s TT as he’s getting frustrated when comparing his performance from this year’s event with the last.

Hutchinson won three TTs last year as the Isle of Man basked in glorious sunshine for the entire two-week festival, but now the Bingley Bullet is getting himself frustrated that his bikes don’t feel the same as they did on the course 12 months ago.

The different was something he had initially attributed to his switch from Metzeler to Dunlop rubber, but now he’s said he believes he’s been thinking about how the track felt this time last year in vastly different conditions.

TOP STORIES

• TT 2017: Alan Bonner dies in qualifying incident
• EBR for sale
• SWM Superdual first ride
• TT 2017: Manx GP finisher Davey Lambert dies after Superbike crash
• Bike of the day: Suzuki GSX-R1000

“I need to get last year out of my head because the conditions were so good last year,” he said after winning Wednesday’s Superstock TT.

“I know I was riding really good and I know the bike felt unbelievable with the grip on the track last year and I think it’s all week I have thought I have had the tyre change in my mind as to why it’s not feeling like last year, it’s the grip, it’s raining out before we get to go out, it’s really dusty, the feeling is not there, I am trying to learn new tyres and a track that is green. I need to forget last year, I am getting wound up because I can’t do what I was doing last year, but no one can, it’s how it is.”

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. 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.