Hydrex Honda's Guy Martin recorded two top six finishes at Saturday's International North West 200 road races but left Northern Ireland disappointed not to have added to his haul of podium places around the 8.9-mile road circuit.

The Lincolnshire star took fifth in the Superstock race and sixth in the Superbike although he was denied two further opportunities for glory when the feature Superbike and second Supersport races were cancelled.
 
Opening practice on Tuesday saw fine conditions and Guy had a solid evening's work although he, like many others, was suffering with high-speed stability on the Superbike machine. Any hopes of improving his grid positions on Thursday were dashed when intermittent drizzle prevented anyone from putting in any fast laps although he did have the satisfaction of being the fastest Superbike rider in the damp. So, his times from Tuesday determined his grid positions and he lined up in 10th, 12th and 12th in his respective classes and with considerable work to do.
 
In the opening Superbike race, Guy got a great start from his fourth row position and moved in to 8th at the end of the opening lap. A lap later he was up to 6th with the leading pack of 5 riders firmly in his sights but any hopes of climbing higher were dashed when the red flag came out at the end of the third lap and he had to settle for sixth.
 
The first Supersport race followed for Guy but it would proved to be disappointing as he was forced to retire at the end of the second lap, electrical problems affecting the power of the engine. On to the Superstock race and Guy again leapt from the fourth row to move into the top six and, as heavy rain began to fall at the beginning of the third lap, he was up to fourth. However, with the weather worsening, the race was stopped just as the leaders started their fourth lap and the results given at the end of the second, placing Guy in 5th.
 
In what had been a trying day for the organisers, the wet weather closed in even more and with poor track conditions, the decision was then made to cancel the final two races.
 
"It hasn't been an easy day for anyone but I'm slightly disappointed with how I rode today. We had a few problems with the big bike on Tuesday and although Thursday evening was damp, we made huge strides forward and I was feeling confident heading into the races. I knew a good start was going to be crucial in all of my races as I had a lot of work to do from the fourth row of the grid but although I did just that I was riding a bit ragged," said Martin.
 
"Beacuse of that, I was making quite a few mistakes and that allowed the front group to get away. We sat down and had a good chat about things afterwards and I concentrated really hard on being smooth and felt a lot better for it. The Supersport bike was getting slower and slower so I opted to pull in but the Superstock race was a lot better and I felt confident in the damp that I could have got on to the podium.

"The red flag came out though as the rain got heavier but I was ready to race in the final two races of the day as the Pirelli wets would certainly have been up to the job. Like I say, it wasn't a great day for anyone but we've learnt some more and can now really focus on the big one - the TT."