The scene for the start of
the 2009 Isle of Man TT Road Races couldn’t be better with clear
blue skies and warm sunshine greeting competitors and fans
today, the first official day of TT09. With good weather
forecast for the next few days there’s an air of calm across the
paddock with competitors eager to take advantage of the
conditions.
The opening practice session, which is untimed, takes place from
6.20pm this evening and all riders will be looking to get a
number of laps in, particularly the large contingent of
newcomers who will be getting their first taste of the Mountain
Course on a closed road. Everyone will be eager to make the most
of tonight with valuable track time crucial for today’s modern
machines.
With the exception of Michael Rutter all of the leading
protagonists will be out in force tonight including Steve Plater
who will jet in from Thruxton, fresh from qualifying fifth for
the fourth round of the British Supersport Championship.
Meanwhile, whilst the poor weather of the North West 200 at
least saw all of the TT competitors emerge unscathed, it perhaps
hasn’t been the main form indicator that it usually is.
Plater took two wins at one of his favourite meetings and also
leads the Supersport series so he is clearly a man in form but
Bruce Anstey, John McGuinness, Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor also
took podiums at the first International race of the year and, as
is often the case at the North West, there was little to choose
between racers.
However, when it comes to the TT, the benchmark for everyone
continues to be McGuinness. Now with 14 wins to his name, the
Morecambe rider's success story shows no signs of slowing down
and he’s back to his best on the short circuits too. Relaxed as
always, McGuinness only has his Superbike available for tonight,
with the other machines due from Thruxton on Monday, but that
will allow him to concentrate on the one machine and, possibly,
steal an early march on his rivals.
The mixed day at the North West 200 meant that results from the
day were up and down for everyone but, as well as the
aforementioned runners, Gary Johnson, Conor Cummins, Ian Lougher,
Adrian Archibald and Dan Stewart are all expected to feature
prominently over the next two weeks. Michael Dunlop is also
expected to shine and tonight should see his first outing on the
rotary Norton, the first time the fire-breathing machines have
been out in an official capacity at the TT since
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