Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness has today been awarded the prestigious RAC Segrave Trophy in recognition of his services to motorcycle sport.
McGuinness celebrated receiving the gong in the swanky surrounds of the RAC Club in London's Pall Mall by assuring his legions of fans that he has no intentions of hanging up his leathers just yet.
"I have another year or two in me yet," said the 43 year old Lancastrian. "I love racing and I am looking forward to 2017 when Honda bring out their new Fireblade - I am a bit like a stick of rock because I have Honda right thought me."
McGuinness, who powered in his 23rd Isle of Man TT victory as he took his seventh Senior race victory last June, underlining that by upping the lap record average speed to 132.701mph around the 37.75 mile Mountain Course, is now just three race wins short of matching the record of the late Joey Dunlop.
Joey had been one of the eight previous bikers to win the trophy and his widow Linda was there to see McGuinness receive the trophy for "outstanding contribution to motorcycle road and circuit racing including setting the outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT in 2015. He is the greatest living exponent of the TT."
McGuinness had driven back from testing at Le Mans, "pedal to the floor of the van" together back for the presentation and was soon en route back to the French circuit where he is riding in the World Endurance Championship opening round.
"When you look at the people who have won this trophy it is quite amazing to be among them -Geoff Duke, Stirling Moss among them and since it became known that I was going to receive it people like Murray Walker and Valentino Rossi have been on to me saying it couldn't have gone to a better man."
For McGuinness it has been a long journey since his first TT victory in a career spanning two decade of the Island. "I don't want to change anything - I am still what I am. I love racing and at the end I just want to stay in one piece and enjoy it. This is the start I hope of another incredible year for me.
"All I can do is give my best - There will be ian Hutchinson, Peter Hickman and the rest lining up but I will be there chipping away. I am ready, the first man away at the TT, with a target on my back - Iike to start at one, a clear road in front, then it is me, the track and the clock.
"But this has been an amazing journey for me and I never expected to be here, and couldn't have been without my wife who has been with me since the start. They said it was 18 to 1for me to win last year, what a motivation and with the fAstest ever lap, even with a pit-stop. That was something special."
McGuinness is something special, more importantly he is always real and himself."This trophy is fantastic, I am really proud to receive this and appreciate it. Is it gold?" Whether the replica is or not, John is pure gold as ever giving 100% as he assured everyone "I have a year or two left in me."
Roll on June and the next chapter in the McGuinness story at the TT - no predictions from him, just the promise that he will be giving everything once again.
