NW200: Honda Racing withdraw from North West after McGuinness crash

Honda Racing have opted to withdraw from the remainder of the 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 on safety grounds following John McGuinness’ qualifying crash.

The 23-time TT winner was injured in a high speed crash at Primrose Hill in yesterday’s final Superbike qualifying session and with the Louth-based factory Honda team still unable to check the data from his machine, it has been decided to withdraw Guy Martin from tomorrow’s Superstock and Superbike races.

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The call has been made on safety grounds with the Honda squad unable to rule out the possibility of the crash having been caused by a technical issue with the bike. 

McGuinness sustained a compound fracture of his right tibia and fibula, four broken vertebrae and several broken ribs in the incident. He is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he will have surgery to fit an external fixator fitted to the leg tomorrow.

Martin will still be in action on Saturday competing for the Wilson Craig Honda squad in the Supersport race.

A statement released by Honda Racing this afternoon read: “Honda Racing has an update regarding John McGuinness following his incident at the North West 200 Superbike qualifying on Thursday, May 11. 

“John has been diagnosed with a compound fracture to his right lower leg, while in theatre on Thursday night it was not possible to plate the leg as initially thought due to the extent of the injury, and tomorrow an external fixator will be fitted. In addition, John has also suffered four broken vertebrae and has three broken back ribs, John will wear a cast for up to six weeks in treatment for the vertebrae. John will remain at Royal Victoria Hospital for around one week as part of the recuperation process. 

“Honda Racing has received John’s bike from the race organisers and will perform a detailed analysis of the bike and ECU data at its headquarters in Louth. As a result, the team has withdrawn from the Superstock and Superbike races at the North West 200.

“The team will next be on track at Castle Combe in a couple of weeks’ time as part of its preparation for the Isle of Man TT.”

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