Bruce Anstey was almost lost for words after completing his comeback from serious illness to win Saturday’s Lightweight Classic TT race on the Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda.
The Kiwi marked his return to racing after a two-year absence due to battling cancer with a start to finish victory in the three-lap race and it looked like he’d never been away as swept to his third victory in the class and fourth Classic TT win in total.
“It’s awesome to win here again and I can’t believe it,” he said afterwards. “There are so many people to thank and the team have been brilliant so it’s awesome to be back. I didn’t think I’d get the chance to do this again so to be back here now as a winner after such a brilliant, enjoyable race is amazing.”
Fastest in practice, an opening lap of 117.053mph gave Anstey a 17.3s lead over young sensation James Hind but a brilliant pit stop by his Padgetts team saw him overhaul team-mate Davey Todd on the road and, with Hind losing time in the pits and then picking up a 30s penalty for speeding in pit lane, he never looked back.
The pit stop was brilliant and I was completely in the zone so barely noticed Davey when we left the pits together! Nothing was going to detract me from what I was doing and I was simply concentrating on riding the bike.”
“I’d built up a good lead but you’re never sure around here especially on the little bikes and I was listening to the engine all the time, short shifting as much as I could and just trying to get it to the end.”
“I’ve had a tough time these last couple of years, really tough. It’s been tough on me and my partner Annie and if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here now.”
