Bruce Anstey was a relieved and pleased man after taking his eighth TT victory yesterday, ending three years of hurt to win the re-started first Supersport 600cc race - but he said as soon as he removed his carbon fibre Arai he though he was riding like a wuss.

The Padgett's Honda rider put the disappointment of Saturday's Superbike race - when he lapped at over 131mph to lead the race only to retire with a damaged valve - behind him and although not entirely happy with his riding, he was delighted to have taken another TT win.

"I was a bit disappointed with how I was riding in the first start - to be honest, I was riding like a wuss - and things just didn't feel quite right so for the second start I just pulled my finger out and had a real go from the start," said Anstey.

"Clive gave me a good talking to and that kept me going and got my spirits up so I was ready to go again second time around. It was all a bit confusing with Gary Johnson stopping at the end of the second lap as my pit signals were going a bit up and down, one minute I was second, then fourth, then up to third again but I think the decision to stop after the first lap was the way to go, that way you can just fill it up and away you go for two full laps.

"I knew Cameron's bike was quick after seeing him in practice but we weren't sure about the reliability and at the end of the day it's all about crossing the line and taking the chequered flag. Clive's had something like 20 races without a breakdown so we'll let him off for Saturday's problem now and, as I said after the Ulster last year, there's life in the old dog yet!"