Bruce Anstey and the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Honda team enjoyed a solid opening day at the International North West 200 on Thursday although a slight engine issue robbed the Kiwi of yet another podium finish.
After qualifying for the evening’s six-lap race in 11th place, Anstey found himself in tenth place at the end of the opening lap after being held up at both York Corner and the Mathers Cross chicane. However, after that moment on, he was one of the fastest riders on the track as he set about closing the gap to the race leaders.
Despite being some 12 seconds adrift, he continually moved up the leaderboard with each and every lap and with two laps remaining, he was up to seventh as less than three seconds covered the top eight. This became fifth a lap later and he was well in contention for claiming the final podium position.
However, just as it looked like he’d take third on the final lap, the engine began to slow and he had little option other than to ease his pace. It all meant he crossed the line in tenth place but with the fourth fastest lap of the race, 116.785mph, it showed that he had the pace and also that he was riding as well as ever.
Earlier in the day, the final qualifying sessions had taken place and a lap of 119.670mph placed him in eleventh place overall for Saturday’s two races. A problem with the front brake disc meant he had to pit during the session thus losing time so the position didn’t ultimately reflect their true standing. Meanwhile, in the Superstock class, he’ll line up in 14th with Thursday’s race now being moved back to Saturday.
“I’m really happy with how I’m riding and am really happy with all the bikes but just a few little issues have held us back and meant our results don’t really show where we should be. My qualifying positions for all the classes haven’t been the greatest and I never really got going in any of the sessions but I’m confident we’ll be there or thereabouts on Saturday,” said the Kiwi.
“Thursday’s opening 600cc race was pretty good especially as I lost so much time on the opening lap. I got held up badly at York Corner and then someone came flying up the inside at one of the chicanes and nearly took out my front wheel. I was way down at the end of the lap but worked my way through the pack and felt confident of taking third until the engine lost a bit of power. Overall, we’re not a million miles away and I feel like I’m riding well so I’m all ready for Saturday now.”