By Barry Russell, photo by Dave Kneen
The Isle of Man’s notoriously changeable weather stayed kind for a fascinating TT practice week and only road accidents involving talentless wannabe racers caused problems for the competitors, the worst being the cancellation of the entire Thursday session. With no grid positions to fight for, teams use practice to get bikes set up and gamesmanship amongst riders is par for the course.
Bruce Anstey won the Graham London Limited Edition TT Watch Award by lapping only just short of the outright lap record at a scorching 131.431mph, but Gary Johnson takes my Poker Face Award for frustrating rivals and fans alike by refusing to do a single flying lap, yet still lies fifth on the Superbike time-sheets, fifth in Supersport and second in Superstock.
Johnson’s Superbike average of 128.554mph points to him as the dark horse for today’s opening race. Riding the Lincs Lifting Hondas that are being supported by his East Coast Racing Supersport team in the 1000cc classes, Johnson is in fine, flowing form.
While the established factory teams must be wondering why they haven’t been able to get the strong-willed Lincolnshire rider’s signature, East Coast Racing must have their eyes on the newly announced Motul Technical Team Award.
John McGuinness also played a good hand on Wednesday evening by changing his lines to confuse his Honda TT Legends teammate, Keith Amor, who followed the 15 times winner in the hope of finding his way into the 130mph elite. However, the Morecombe Missile was unable to conceal his delight at being on a potential race winning Superbike and posted the second fastest lap, ahead of Guy Martin and Michael Dunlop. McGuinness’s form in the Superstock and Supersport classes is less certain, but it would be foolish to bet against him winning today’s Superbike TT and/or next Saturday’s Senior TT.
Martin looks to be coming back to form after indifferent performances in British Superbike and the North West 200 and must be feeling the pressure to win a TT on his eighth appearance at the festival, while Michael Dunlop is another man who has shown well across the board, being the only rider above 130mph in Superstock and topping the Supersport time-sheets too. Cameron Donald is now looking more like his former self at Wilson Craig Racing, lapping above 128mph on his Superbike, lying fourth in Superstock behind Dunlop, Johnson and Anstey and second in Supersport.
Of the newcomers, Simon Andrews looks out of place in his orange bib, lapping at 121.439 to be 25th in Superbike and 24th in Superstock on his Ice Valley BMW, despite a recurring gear-shift problem. Andrews has worked hard since signing up for the TT, improving progressively during practice week and must be the odds-on favourite for the coveted TT Newcomer Award.
With cool, sunny weather expected, John McGuinness will be the first away from the startline for the 2011 Dainese Superbike TT at 12:00 noon UK time.
