McGuinness sets early TT pace

Morecambe's John McGuinness set the early practice pace at the Isle of Man TT races on Monday evening, topping both the Superbike and Superstock timesheets. Held in glorious conditions, the 14-times TT winner put in a flying lap on his HM Plant Honda Superbike and with a speed of 128.067mph he was just over 11 seconds clear of second quickest rider Adrian Archibald.

John then switched to his Padgetts Superstock Honda, the same machine that he uses in the British Championship, and put in two laps in excess of 123mph, despite a problem on the opening lap with his steering damper. He'd failed to change the settings for the lap so it was still set up for the short circuits although he could still lap quick enough, at 124.684mph, to go quickest in the class.

"It's been a good night and I'm well pleased with how the bikes are working," said John, speaking afterwards. "I had a good run round on the Superbike and it's working good, there's not a lot we need to change on it now. I'm still building up my confidence on the big bike and can be a bit sharper on the brakes and the like so there's plenty more to come."

"I went out on the stocker and had forgotten to alter the sterring damper after I last rode it at Donington but I managed to get two laps in. It was my own fault so I just took it steady through the sections where I knew it would be bad so to be fastest was very pleasing. There's a long way to go yet but we're in the ballpark and I just need to get out on the Supersport bike next to see where we are with that."

Practice continues this evening.

Picture by Mark 'Wally' Walters