Conor Cummins may not have won Monday’s Superbike Classic TT race but the Manxman fulfilled a lifelong dream when he raced a two-stroke machine around the Mountain Course for the first time eventually finishing third behind Dean Harrison and Horst Saiger.

The Ramsey Rocket had been due to ride the ex-Rob McElnea 750cc Yamaha OW01 that he’d competed on for the last two years but the Padgetts Racing team wheeled out the 500cc YZR Yamaha previously ridden by team-mate Bruce Anstey. And despite a lack of practice, the 32-year old posted a best lap of 124.301mph on his way to claiming the final podium position.

“That was brilliant fun and ever since I was a kid I wanted to ride a two-stroke around the Mountain Course and thanks to Clive and the boys, I was able to do that. I loved the two-strokes when I was growing up and started racing on a 125cc Honda so it was like going back to my roots.”

“The Padgetts team gave me a brilliant bike and I learned a lot out there today. I only got six laps of practice and I was probably riding it like a four-stroke initially whilst you also have to be really accurate with your gear changes. I had a great time riding it and to finish on the podium caps off what’s been a successful year for me nicely.”

As well as the Classic TT podium, Cummins finished on the rostrum in both the Superbike and Senior TT races in June, also claiming victory in the opening Supersport race at the Ulster Grand Prix earlier this month.