Bedfordshire youngster Olie Linsdell monstered today's Classic 500 TT against world class opposition, crossing the line a full two minutes ahead of William Dunlop as John McGuinness was forced to retire on lap one.
Linsdell, who is the son of Steve, has been trying to win the race for a number of years and has finally managed, setting the pace from the outset and he was never headed.
“I was fastest in practice for the 2010 event but an accident in meant that I was unable to race the 500 that year,’ said Linsdell. ‘My father and I have been trying for the last 10 years to win this race [in its old guise and now the Classic TT version of it]. It’s been a long time coming," said Linsdell.
Dunlop came in second with Jamie Coward third, Ian Lougher in his last ever race on the Isle of Man fourth and Classic Manx stalwart Roy Richardson in fifth place.
McGuinness, who was favourite for the win, pulled out at the end of lap one after having trouble with his Paton throughout practice. Conor Cummins was also a retiree and Michael Dunlop had to stop for a clutch adjustment on his Molnar Manx.
Results:
1 1 Oliver Linsdell CMM Paton/Giovanni Cabassi 01:22:07.732 110.256 Silver
2 11 William Dunlop Honda/ 01:24:08.911 107.610 Silver
3 15 Jamie Coward Norton/ 01:24:33.366 107.091 Silver
4 17 Ian Lougher Royal Enfield/ 01:24:48.890 106.764 Silver
5 8 Roy Richardson Aermacchi 476/FCL Racing/Martin 01:24:55.851 106.619 Silver
6 14 James Hillier Honda/ 01:29:37.690 101.031 Bronze
7 6 Michael Dunlop Norton/MD Racing 01:30:00.065 100.612 Bronze
8 27 David Madsen-Mygdal Honda/Gimbert Racing 01:30:06.290 100.496 Bronze
9 23 Allan Brew Seeley G50/Luviair / Mike and Daw 01:30:10.642 100.415 Bronze
10 31 Doug Snow Ducati/John Snow 01:32:19.762 98.075 Silver
11 7 Gary Johnson MV Augusta/ 01:33:26.978 96.899
12 43 Keith Dixon Seeley/ 01:35:34.715 94.741 Silver
13 63 Hefyn Owen Seeley/ 01:35:41.827 94.624 Silver
14 72 Henry Bell Honda/ 01:35:53.749 94.427 Silver
15 39 Alan Bud Jackson Norton/Jim Postlethwaite 01:37:58.265 92.427 Bronze
16 57 Neil May Molnar/ 01:38:15.019 92.165 Bronze
17 45 Arthur Browning Seeley G50/Richard Harvey Racin 01:38:23.867 92.026 Bronze
18 47 David Webber Petty Norton/ 01:38:41.518 91.752 Bronze
19 61 Phil Woodall Seeley/ 01:38:52.569 91.581 Bronze
20 52 Tony Ainley Velocette Venom/ 01:39:08.924 91.329 Bronze
21 49 Derrick Holliland Norton/Mr. R Bottomley Mr. A Wait 01:39:24.362 91.093 Bronze
22 80 Sean Leonard Honda Drixton/ 01:39:35.849 90.918 Silver
23 46 Richard Stott Matchless/Team Stotty 01:40:08.863 90.418 Bronze
24 86 Paul Rogers Honda/ 01:40:33.704 90.046 Silver
25 91 Herman Verboven* Paton/The Motorcycle Factory 01:40:52.426 89.768 Bronze
26 75 Geoff Bates Bates Honda/Geoff Bates Racing 01:40:54.484 89.737 Bronze
27 66 Andrew Ryder Aermacchi Metisse/Mannshaft B F 01:41:20.123 89.359 Bronze
28 53 Grant Sellars Norton/ 01:43:05.858 87.831
29 84 Andy Wilson Honda/ 01:43:44.997 87.279 Bronze
30 58 Barry Davies Honda/Caunce Engineering 01:43:58.832 87.086
31 56 Edward Poole Norton/ 01:44:17.444 86.827
32 50 Arthur Jones Matchless/ 01:44:22.056 86.763
33 83 Jimmy Creer Honda/ 01:44:33.261 86.608 Bronze
34 78 Peter Creer Honda/Dean Martin 01:45:34.921 85.765
35 81 Alan Smallbones Honda/ 01:47:07.966 84.523
36 65 Jan Koning ABSAF Seeley/ 01:48:54.004 83.151
37 60 Brian Cooper Honda/CLIVIGER CLASSICS 01:52:19.121 80.621