Successful Scarborough; back to BSB McGuinness.

John McGuinness enjoyed a successful weekend of racing over the weekend at the International Gold Cup races at Oliver's Mount in Scarborough.

The British Superbike regular had the use of the Vitrans Honda machines and took four top-four finishes in his five races, only a retirement in the opening leg of the Superbike denying him a 100% finishing record. It could all have been very different though as a heavy Saturday morning practice spill almost put paid to his chances of racing.

John McGuinness enjoyed a successful weekend of racing over the weekend at the International Gold Cup races at Oliver's Mount in Scarborough.

The British Superbike regular had the use of the Vitrans Honda machines and took four top-four finishes in his five races, only a retirement in the opening leg of the Superbike denying him a 100% finishing record. It could all have been very different though as a heavy Saturday morning practice spill almost put paid to his chances of racing.

McGuinness was making the steep, downhill plunge towards Mountside Hairpin in the tricky morning conditions when the throttle stuck open and he was forced to lay the Honda Fireblade on its side. He slid almost 100 yards along the narrow road and was lucky to escape with just a sore shoulder and a bit of whiplash. The injuries were enough to force him to retire from the opening Superbike race but he was able to take second on the more manageable 600cc Honda in the first leg of the David Jefferies Trophy.

Conditions on Sunday were beautiful and John started the day off with a third place in the second leg of the David Jefferies Trophy, good enough for second overall. Back on the Superbike for the remainder of the day he took a brace of fourth places in the second leg of the Superbike class and the feature Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup race, a trophy that he won back in 1999.

"I always enjoy racing at Scarborough as it's a great little circuit and the club work really hard to put on superb events," said McGuinness after two days of racing around the public roads of Oliver's Mount. "Overall, I'm pleased with my results this weekend and all the boys from the team enjoyed themselves as well so it's been a successful two days. The crash dented my confidence on Saturday and I just wasn't happy being out on the Superbike as my neck and shoulder was really aching.

"I felt a lot better on Sunday though so I gave it my best shot but the boys at the front were riding really hard, possibly a little bit on the edge, and the last thing I wanted to do was something silly.

"I went at a pace I felt comfortable with and although it's always better when you win, I enjoyed myself and I think we put on a good show for all the thousands of fans that turned up. I'm looking forward to the last few races this year and ending the season on a good note."

It's back to the British Superbike Championship for John this weekend with the penultimate round of the series taking place at Donington Park.

Read More