It was yet another fantastic Honda top five clean sweep in this evening's TT Superstock race.
In a repeat performance of today's earlier Supersport race, HM Plant Honda race aces Steve Plater and John McGuinness took fourth and fifth at the chequered flag on their Padgett's Honda liveried machines, behind fellow CBR1000RR Fireblade powered riders Ian Hutchinson, Guy Martin and Keith Amor.
The dry but cooling conditions saw John set another record breaking pace - this time from a standing start - and take the lead at the end of the first lap. But the Lancashire-man then struggled with lack of grip half way into lap two, which continued for the remainder of the four lap race and affected his pace.
Team-mate Steve Plater settled into an early strong pace but was unable to hold off Guy Martin and maintain his initial race stride in order to achieve a podium finish.
John McGuinness
"I had a great start and was 'on it' from the off, so I'm really disappointed to have not finished higher up. I knew my first lap was quick and it feels good to have been the first to break the former lap record from a standing start. The bike set-up was right but I struggled with grip from the second lap, so had to back right off and just do my best to be smooth and steady and bring it home."
Steve Plater
"I was really happy with the first half of the race and thought that I may even have a chance of finishing on the podium. I got settled into the race really early on which set me up well and I'm happy with the way I've ridden and what I've learnt even more about the course. But I couldn't keep quite the same pace after the pit stop which allowed the front runners to edge away and leave me just outside a podium finish."
The HM Plant Honda team with John and Steve will be back on track at 10.45 tomorrow morning for the second Supersport race. The dynamic duo of Nick Crowe and Mark Cox will follow at 13.15 for the second and final sidecar race of the week.
