23 times TT winner John McGuinness has finally secured Supersport machinery for TT 2019, having struck a last minute.com partnership with former employers Padgetts Racing, to pilot like Conor Cummins, fellow Norton team member Davey Todd, high spec CBR 600RR Honda machinery.
Part of the Padgetts TT fold from 2007 through to 2014, McGuinness has enjoyed various tumultuous moments with the Batley squadron, including claiming Senior TT success in 2008, plus Superstock TT success in 2012.
It’s most definitely a case of old friends linking up again, and there’s no doubt that as in years gone by, the all star combination can prove prodigious for both parties.
The one major change in comparison to their previous link up’s together, is that the Padgetts team, now run under the team name, Milenco by Padgetts.
Photo courtesy of TT Press
Apart from this notion, there’s very little change from the last time McGuinness competed in the outfit’s colours, at the 2014 Gold Cup meeting at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough.
Although a non participant on Supersport machinery within the International roads scene, since 2016, it would be foolish to write off McGuinness’s chances of contending for top five finishes at minimum, in what are set to be close fought, keenly contested Monster Energy Supersport encounters.
Words by Stevie Rial