McGuinness back on form in TT

John McGuinness put his weekend disappointment firmly in the shade as he returned to form at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy with two podium finishes.

McGuinness – a 13-time TT winner – was forced out after lap two of the Superbikes on Saturday but there was to be no repeat performance as he claimed podium spots in both the Superstock and Supersport races.

Australia’s Cameron Donald landed the Superstock crown, with McGuinness trailing home more than 15 seconds back in second, while New Zealander Bruce Anstey took the Supersport title after lunch.

“I didn’t really know what to expect with the Superstock bike – I have never really been a lover of it but I am really starting to like it now,” said McGuinness.

“Considering you can go down to the shops and buy one for £9,000 it is amazing how fast you can go around on them.

“I made a great start on the first lap – I am not usually as fast as I was - but I got my head down and I was a bit cautious when I got to the mountain because of the mist.

“There was a bit of moisture on the white lines and they have been really slippery this year – so I just took my time through them, dropped a few seconds.

“But I missed out on a lot of practice and I just wanted a good safe ride under my belt and to finish second is brilliant.

“The bike was great and I really enjoyed it and it was just a question of me not being sharp enough on the day but I sat on the podium so I can’t moan.

“If someone had come up to me when I first started and said that I would have got 27 podiums I wouldn’t have believed them but here I am.”

Aussie Donald picked up from where he left off on Saturday, claiming the Scottish Life International Superstock crown.

The Dainese Superbike winner stormed home in front of TT ’King of the Mountain’ McGuinness, who finished second in 1hr 12min 14sec, lapping the 37.73-mile course at more than 121mph.

Fans’ favourite Guy Martin – who suffered heartache on the Superbike after mechanical problems denied him a certain first win at the weekend – was back to his best, grabbing third and his fifth TT podium.

“I’m not happy but you can’t moan,” said Martin. “Cameron has done brilliantly on the bike.

“I think I had the quickest lap at the end there, hitting 127mph, so it’s the best of a bad job.

“I didn’t get my finger out of my backside on the first couple of laps – I just couldn’t get the bike out of the gear and it kept jumping – but worse things have happened.”

In the Relentless Supersport race, New Zealand’s Anstey – who pulled out of the Superstock race hours earlier through illness – overcame the odds to top the podium.

Kiwi Anstey was in imperious form, finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of Lincolnshire rider Steve Plater, who tasted podium success for the first time.

The 38-year-old only made his TT debut last year but showed experience counts for nothing, storming his way from seventh to second at more than 122mph.

TT legend McGuinness continued his return to form with his 27th podium finish at his 12th TT, more than three seconds behind Aim Racing’s Plater.