The first full timed practice session for the Centenary TT races on Monday 28 May was a bit of a damp affair with rain falling on the Mountain section of the course and at Ramsey.
The wet weather slowed everyone down and reduced the number of laps the riders were hoping to achieve. Although conditions were far from perfect, eleven times TT winner John McGuinness on the HM Plant Honda still topped the time sheets with an average speed of 124.983mph. His team-mate and friend, Ian Hutchinson was close behind with a speed of 123.558mph.
Dublin rider, Martin Finnegan riding the Klaffi Alpha Boilers Honda was running in third place which was encouraging considering the difficult time he had at the North West 200 where the Honda was having fuel mapping problems. In fourth place was veteran road racer, Ian Lougher on the Stobart Honda. The first non-Honda home was Adrian Archibald on the Relentless Suzuki by TAS and his team-mate Bruce Anstey who took a triple win at the North West 200 was seventh. Splitting the Suzuki pair was Ryan Farquhar on the Mark Johns Motors Honda.
Rounding out the top ten in the Superbike class was Davy Morgan, John Barton, and Ian Pattinson.
The Superstock class was headed by Mr Superstock himself, Bruce Anstey. He was followed by Hydrex Honda's Guy Martin who unfortunately broke down due to a problem with a tilt switch. In his usual eccentric form, he headed off into the woods to keep out of the rain and fell asleep, leaving his team wondering where he had got to!
Manx man, Paul Hunt or Big H as he is affectionately known was in third place on the Harker Racing Kawasaki. Hunt has been strutting his stuff on the dance floor in a charity version of Strictly Come Dancing. Looks like he can carry off lycra as well as leather!
On the Supersport front, it was young Manx man Conor Cummins on the Millsport Yamaha who lead the way. Next was another local man, Chris Palmer on the Solway Slate and Tile Honda. Third place went to Ian Lougher on the Blackhorse Finance Honda.
TT Monday Superbike practice results – Isle of Man:
1. John McGuinness
2. Ian Hutchinson
3. Martin Finnegan
4. Ian Lougher
5. Adrian Archibald
6. Ryan Farquhar
7. Bruce Anstey
8. Davy Morgan
9. John Barton
10. Ian Pattinson
TT Monday Superstock practice results – Isle of Man:
1. Bruce Anstey
2. Guy Martin
3. Paul Hunt
4. Ryan Farquhar
5. Ian Pattinson
6. Mark Parrett
7. Phil Stewart
8. James McBride
9. David Coughlan
10. Craig Atkinson
