With conditions almost perfect he got his head down and pushed for the highest speed ever seen at the TT, “I went for it on lap two with half a tank of fuel, grip on the track, tyres were good. I remember sitting at Rhencullen when Hizzy did the 120mph lap and it is the 50th anniversary of Bob McIntyre doing 100mph. I just concentrated so hard. It felt quick and we made the gearing shorter so the bike revved harder which was untested. I made sure I hit all my apexes, got the power down early and all the little hairpins I braked real late. To make up time on my lap with the pit stop, I went from 10 sec gap to 17secs, that is a real testament to my team. I've been with them last two years and it is amazing that is the same bike that I've won four TTs on. Maybe Honda will give it to me for my collection!”
Second place man Martin was relieved to finish the race as he had technical problems as he explained, “Pushing from the off isn't my thing, then I saw Finnegan go out and Anstey at Sulby, I knew he had problems and I was catching Rutter. I had nothing holding me up and it was going good. I saw my board and it said -20secs so I pulled that back to 16secs but that is when my chain started jumping on the sprocket. I did one lap and it wasn't too bad and I thought the pit stop would sort it out but the chain had stretched. I've never been so relieved to finish a race I was changing gear up to third real fast to take the strain off the drive chain. My team were working to 2am as we had a head gasket problem when we were warming the bike up last night, so a big thanks to them for all their hard work.”
Hutchinson was a little down as his race turned into a bit of lonely run after he ran on at Ballacraine, “I'm pleased to get on the podium as the first laps out on the big bikes for me haven't worked. I had yellow flags as Finnegan was coasting and so was Anstey and that knocked my rhythm. Guy got me and then I was in no mans land and it is hard to push for a time when that happens. It was not an inspiring race but it is a Honda top three so thanks to Honda for giving me the opportunity.”
