By For once weather conditions albeit a touch windy, played ball for the big one, the Steve Henshaw Gold Cup feature race.
Allspeeds Racing by Garnett Kawasaki pilot Michael Browne, took the race lead initiative on the opening laps, obtaining a 0.870 advantage over Adam McLean as lap three loomed.
Although Browne continued to lead on lap three, that man Dean Harrison astride the ultra-speedy Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha, was getting closer to the front, slotting into second.
There were no positional changes between the front running pack on lap four but early into lap five, Harrison made his move, passing Browne into Mere Hairpin.
By lap five’s end, the three times TT Champion was plus 0.85 of a second in front of Irish Road Race Supersport Champion Browne.
Harrison’s advantage extended greatly on lap six, taking over 2.5 seconds out of Browne and new second place occupier McLean, thanks to recording the fastest lap of the race, lapping at 1:45.713 seconds.
Drama then arose at the Esses on lap seven as Lightweight Manx GP winner Browne, crashed out.
Browne’s misfortune meant it was now a four-way fight for third between Joey Thompson, Rob Hodson, Gary McCoy and Mike Norbury.
Out front, Harrison despite marginally rolling off the pace, was in firm command of proceedings as the eight, final lap beckoned.
The Bradford ace went onto stylishly attain Gold Cup success number three, his first since 2016.
It’s also his 112th Oliver’s Mount race victory in total.
Tobermore’s McLean in second, finished just under three seconds in arrears.
Back to the intriguing tussle for third and at the line it was Mad Bros Racing’s McCoy finishing third, with fourth, fifth, sixth going respectively to SMT Racing’s Hodson, Bob Smith Spring Cup winner Thompson and Norbury.
Wrapping up the first ten finishers were 2016 Senior Manx Grand Prix victor Tom Weeden, Aberdare Park Welsh Open victor Mark Goodings, Bishop Castle’s Barry Furber and the Isle of Man’s Jamie Williams.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
