John McGuinness
set the Isle of Man alight in Friday’s Senior TT sponsored by Pokerstars
when he not only led the race from start to finish but also became the
first man to break the magical 130mph barrier. A second lap speed of
130.354mph sent the HM Plant Honda rider into the record books once more
and the win was his 13th victory in total. In a repeat of Monday’s
Bennetts TT Superbike race Guy Martin and Ian Hutchinson again took
second and third positions.
McGuinness made his usual fast start to break the outright lap record
from a standing start but Martin was pushing him hard and there was only
seconds in it in the first 24 miles. However, John’s mastery of the
Mountain section was again evident and by the time the riders had
completed their first lap he was almost 10 seconds clear. Martin matched
him over the first part of the second lap and although he was also
inside the old lap record with a speed of 129.816mph, John’s
scintillating 130mph+ lap sent him clear. Martin had pulled clear of
Hutchinson but another pre-race favourite Bruce Anstey was out early on
whilst Irish hopes were also dashed with Martin Finnegan and Ryan
Farquhar both early retirements.
With yet another superb pit stop McGuinness’ lead was extended further
whilst Martin had caught Hutchinson on the roads. Ian Lougher was in a
secure fourth but fifth place was anything but with Adrian Archibald and
Conor Cummins disputing the position.
At the head of the field McGuinness’ lead was up to 23 seconds and
although Martin chipped away at his disadvantage, John had everything
under control and pulled away on the final two laps. His final winning
margin was over 32 seconds although his cause was aided slightly when
Guy ran into trouble at two-thirds race distance, the chain jumping off
the sprocket from the fourth lap onwards. A change of wheel at his
second pit stop didn’t help so he nursed the machine home to take
another second place, his third podium of the week.
Hutchinson’s excellent week continued with third place although he later
admitted to having a somewhat lonely race as he was 20 seconds behind
Guy and 20 seconds ahead of Lougher who salvaged his week with a solid
fourth. Archibald got the better of Cummins to give TAS Suzuki a result
with the young Manxman taking his fourth top ten finish of the week and
reclaiming the title of the fastest Manxman with a second lap speed of
126.466mph.
Steve Plater’s brilliant debut week continued with seventh place and a
lap of 125.808mph firmly cemented his place as the fastest ever newcomer
in the history of the event. Michael Rutter finally got to see the
chequered flag in 8th, also setting his personal best lap with the top
ten being completed by Ian Armstrong, who was again the first of the
privateers, and James McBride.
The final day was marred by an incident at the 26th Milestone. Marc
Ramsbotham, 34, from Norfolk, died from injuries sustained in the Senior
race on Friday 8th June 2007. He was involved in an incident at the 26th
Milestone on the mountain and was confirmed dead at the scene. The
incident also involved four other people. One spectator was also
confirmed dead at the scene. Another spectator was confirmed dead after
admission at Nobles hospital. Two further people were also involved in
the incident and have sustained injuries.
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