Honda Legends, erm, legend John McGuinness has upped his TT tally to 16 by winning the Dainese Superbike race this afternoon after early leader Bruce Anstey retired at Quarry Bends and then next nearest competitor Guy Martin did the same at Hillberry on lap five.
McGuinness crossed the line with almost a minute in hand over second-place man Cameron Donald on the Wilson Craig Honda and Gary Johnson bagged another career podium in third even after picking up a ten second pitlane penalty in the second round of stops.
"I'm speechless really and it's unbelievable to be sitting here now with another Superbike win to my name, for some reason I never thought I'd do it. Bruce was pushing really hard at the beginning and I dropped back a bit as I was a bit tense and blowing a bit whilst my arms were also pumping up a bit," said McGuinness, speaking to bikesportnews.com in parc ferme.
"I had a real good go on the second lap and only just stopped in time when I came in to the pits so probably made a bit of time there but the pit stop was terrific and the boys did an awesome job on both occasions. They're people who I trust and who have been with me a long time and that gave me a bit of breathing space whilst Bruce going out soon after obviously helped.
"Going off at number one and riding for essentially a new team created a bit of pressure and i was definitely nervous today but as the race wore on I felt stronger and stronger so all the riding in World Endurance has definitely paid off. Seeing such a huge crowd out there cheering me on was a really special feeling and I want to thank them and also let my good mate Stuart Easton know that win's for him."
The Morecambe Missile's team-mate Keith Amor, who is riding with a damaged shoulder, picked up fourth place crossing the line nearly two minutes behind McGuinness. Michael Dunlop picked up fifth place after a problem in the pits, just ahead of Dan Stewart. William Dunlop bagged seventh only three seconds behind his brother. BSB Evo man James Hillier is eighth, Adrian Archibald ninth and Ian Mackman rounded out the top ten.
McGuinness was first away with Amor following him and Martin third but it was Johnson who slid into second at Glen Helen on lap one with Anstey, who started in fifth, taking third fastest three seconds behind McPint, Martin fourth and M-Lop (for that is he how he will now be known) fifth.
Johnson reduced the gap to 0.84s at Ballaugh with Anstey two seconds off the pace and Martin starting slowly, just over three seconds behind McGuinness. Anstey had taken second by the time they made the Ballaugh leap and had closed to 1.32s behind McGuinness and it was the same as they reached the Bungalow.
At the Grandstand, Anstey was only 0.49s behind McGuinness as Johnson and Martin scrapped for third, and M-Lop was nearly ten second in arrears in fifth place.
By the time they reached Glen Helen on lap two, Anstey was leading by 1.49s while Johnson stretched his lead over Martin for third. At Ballaugh, McGuinness had got the gap back down to 0.66s but it had opened again on the run into Ramsey as Anstey was 2.48s in front.
Anstey was more than three seconds ahead at the Bungalow but by the Grandstand McGuinness was back to only a second behind while Martin pulled back into third ahead of Johnson as all the riders made their first pit-stops. Anstey's first flying lap was 131.378mph compared to McGuinness's 131.199.
As they exited pitlane, the Honda Legends crew had given McGuinness a 12s lead over Anstey which he held to Glen Helen while M-Lop looked to have retired but got going again. Martin was 16s behind in third but Johnson was still on his case and only three tenths in arrears.
McGuinness held his advantage at Ballaugh but Anstey pulled over at Quarry Bends, handing second to Johnson who had gone past Martin while Donald was promoted to fourth and Amor into fifth. Martin's Relentless Suzuki was back into second at the Bungalow while McGuinness started to stretch his lead out.
At the end of lap four, Johnson had dropped right back and was some 30s behind Martin after being held up by an incident on the mountain and then he was given a ten second penalty in the pits which meant Martin's second place was safe and Donald took third.
Donald was promoted to second when Martin retired, Johnson held third and Amor fourth while the scrap for fifth started between Stewart and the Dunlops. W-Lop had the better of it until halfway through the final lap but it was M-Lop who pushed through for the position.
Simon Andrews retired at Quarterbridge on lap one with fuelling problems on the Ice Valley BMW, as did Davy Morgan. Conor Cummins stopped at Signpost on lap five and Ian Lougher also retired on lap three.
