After a disappointing Isle of Man TT campaign in June, John McGuinness got back to winning ways around the Mountain Course on Saturday with a comprehensive victory in the Senior Classic TT race.
Riding Roger Winfield’s Paton, it was McGuinness’ third victory in the race, following on from his success for the team in 2016 and 2018 as he come home half a minute clear of similarly-mounted Stefano Bonetti.
“It’s been a tough week with very little practice and I perhaps needed another tooth on the rear but I rode my own race and really enjoyed it,” McGuinness said afterwards. “Whether it’s a Superbike win or a Senior Classic win, a win’s a win and you never get tired of the feeling of winning around the Mountain Course. It’s always been very special and always will be.”
An opening lap of 111.679mph, which proved to be the fastest of the race, gave McGuinness a 17.3s advantage over Bonetti and although the Italian kept the 23-time TT winner honest, the damage had been done and he was able to eke out his advantage for the remainder of the race.
I had good boards at Ballacraine and Gwen’s but I didn’t have one over the Mountain like I do normally so it was a long way to go without getting any signals and I had to keep pushing as I knew Stefano wouldn’t be too far away.”
“Once the lead got up to twenty seconds though, it was a bit more comfortable and I was able to control the race. It’s Stefano’s first time on the Classic bike and he was riding really well so if he’d have had a bit more experience, it would have been closer but fair play to him.”
It was the fourth successive win for Winfield and his team, having also won with Josh Brookes when he deputised for the injured McGuinness in 2017, and the 23-time TT winner was quick to acknowledge their efforts.
“The bike never missed a beat and the team have been brilliant, just as they have been from day one. We’re all a bit daft and we’re all a bit old but we all get on really well and are like a family. It’s a great team and although my ears are ringing, my teeth are chattering and my toes tingling, the bike was awesome and it’s great to get another win for Roger and his team.”
