By Receiving arguably the biggest cheer of those on NW200 race day to take podium finishes, Honda Racing UK’s John McGuinness MBE rolled back the years with an emotional third place finish in the CP Hire Superstock race.
In good form throughout qualifying, earlier races, the 23 times TT winner proved the magic is still there.
Leaving this year’s NW200 with a best lap speed of 122.169 mph, McGuinness MBE admitted that he considered the days of NW200 rostrum placings, never arising again.
“I honestly never thought that I would stand back on a podium, so I am absolutely over the moon. This takes a lot of work, and I’ve been going about my business, putting in the hours and the miles to prepare.
I get a bit of stick and some people doubt me but it’s such a motivator for me. To still be here thirty years after making my debut and fighting with these young ones is something else. I just kept pushing and pushing in the race to get on the back of James (Hillier), and yes, I benefited from a bit of good luck but that’s racing.
James just went the wrong side of a backmarker and that sort of handed it to me. I fought and fought to be there on the back of him and at the front of that next group behind the front guys.”
The Morecambe roads legend continued:
“I’m so happy, I’m happy for the team, for everyone really. There is so much that goes into this, and the team have stuck by me throughout, they work so, so hard to prepare everything.
We had a problem in the race before and they turned the bike upside down to fix it and get me out in the race so to reward them like that just makes the job that little bit sweeter. This is the icing on the cake for me.”
Quotes courtesy of Honda Racing UK press team.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
