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2018 TT launch: McGuinness set for April Norton test

John McGuinness confirmed at the official Isle of Man TT Launch on Wednesday that the chances of him being fit to race at June’s event are looking very positive and he hopes to start testing Norton Racing’s SG7 in mid-April. The 23-time TT-winner is also planning to contest the North West 200 Supersport and Lightweight races to ensure he’s back up to speed and race sharp.

While sitting with McGuinness, he received a message from his surgeon saying he could start to have full-weight bearing on his leg once more – the news he’d been waiting, and wanting, to hear. Counting the days down to that moment hasn’t been easy and although the acid test will come when he first throws his leg over a bike again and rides in anger, he’s also sensible enough to know what’s achievable and what isn’t.

“Getting the text message today was such a major thing for me – I can’t tell you big a deal it is. I’d set myself a little goal of being able to walk on stage at the TT Press Launch and even thought about doing what Robert Dunlop did in 1998 – going on to the stage with my crutches and then throwing them into the crowd!

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“I had a little test at the hotel and then did what I wanted to do in the evening. It’s not easy to do straightaway though as your confidence is a bit fragile and you have that ‘what if it breaks again’ feeling in your mind. You’re putting 100 per cent trust into those few words the surgeon’s told you. Walking in front of everyone was a bit emotional to be fair but it means we can start moving forward now and the aim is to be back on a bike and testing in mid-April.”

That might be cutting it fine in some people’s eyes and leave him with far too much work to do in a short space of time whereby the goals are unrealistic but McGuinness doesn’t see it that way. In his usual laid back manner, he’s taking it all in his stride.

“People say it’s late in the day to be going testing but some people go to Spain in February and then don’t do anything for a month. All it means is that my schedule will be quite intense and crammed into a shorter space of time. As long as I’m on a bike in April and May, it’ll be ok so I’m not too worried. At the same time, I’ll know if the leg’s right or not and whilst there was always a bit of pressure to deliver at Honda, there isn’t at Norton.”

“I’ve missed racing and I’ve missed the buzz that goes with it. It’s my job so it’s nice to have people put their faith in me and I’m excited about all the rides that I have lined up. I don’t have a crystal ball so I know there’s still a long road in front of me but I’ll look to get bike fit, get up to speed, dot the ‘I’s’ and cross the ‘t’s’ and set off down Bray Hill for six laps.”

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