Plater’s in gear for TT

Motorsport

John McGuinness will be hoping for success at the Isle of Man TT

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

With the North West behind them the top riders and teams now focus their attention on the Isle of Man where practice for the 2008 TT commences on Saturday evening (6.15pm).

Steve Plater, a treble winner at the North West winning both supersport 600cc races and the feature superbike race will be contesting the TT for only the second time having made his debut last year coming away with the best newcomer award and a lap speed in excess of 125mph.

The Relentless Suzuki by TAS team of Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald will be going to the TT with high hopes of success following the North West 200, where although they did not win a race the pair finished second and third behind Alastair Seeley, who does not contest the TT, in the superstock event with Donald second in the main superbike race and Anstey fourth.

Anstey has won the last three superstock races at the TT while Donald is only contesting the TT for the third time having missed 2007 through injury although he recorded a remarkable second place finish in the 2006 Senior TT in only his second appearance on the 37 mile circuit.

Team owner Phillip Neill said: "Reflecting on the North West 200 it was a strong debut for Cameron in the team in what is now virtually a British Superbike grid complete with factory machines.

"That is the first time since 2002 that we as a team have not won a race at the North West, but what a competitive meeting it was. We now go to the TT with things looking good.

"We know after the North West that the Suzuki machines are clearly on the pace with our competitors and we are looking forward to the meeting."

The man they all have to beat however at the TT is outright lap record holder and 13-time winner John McGuinness, who had two podiums at the North West in the opening superbike race behind Michael Rutter and Guy Martin and the emotionally charged 250cc event.

McGuinness said: "We were not a million miles away from winning at the North West in the superbike races.

"The bike was working real good and this bodes well heading into the TT. "

Rutter will not be going to the TT, but Martin, who has yet to win a TT race, will be a major threat as he was well in contention at the North West until brake problems forced him to ease the pace in the first superbike race finishing second to Rutter and then he retired with a broken radiator hose in race two, having lead both until the problems set in.

Topping the list of local riders going to the TT will be Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald.