Honda Racing and their sole remaining Isle of Man TT rider, Guy Martin, have confirmed they will not be competing in today’s six-lap Senior TT race, as the TV star stated they’re “not doing the times needed to be competitive”.
The weather-affected TT has curtailed Honda’s practice time for the brand new CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 leaving the decision not to race as their only option given the lack of data and development time.
Having crashed at Doran’s on lap one of the Superbike race on Sunday, the Lincolnshire-based TV star sat out the Supersport Race and TT Zero qualifying too.
He confirmed that he will race in today’s one-lap TT Zero race on the Mugen, alongside Bruce Anstey as he vies for his first ever Isle of Man TT win.
Martin and Honda also confirmed they will be back for the Southern 100 (10 – 13 July) and Ulster Grand Prix (6 – 12 August) with Honda Racing team manager, Jonny Twelvetrees, saying, “We’re disappointed not to be taking part in today’s Senior TT, a decision that is ultimately due to a lack of track time for Guy on the Fireblade. We came here to race and everyone in the team – who have worked extremely hard over the last few months – was looking forward to seeing what the new bike could do. Guy informed me that he wouldn’t race in the Senior, which is a tough decision to make but one I can understand given the lack of practice we’ve had.
Martin said, “I came back to the TT this year to race and try to win with Honda Racing. I’ve done loads of testing and the team have been flat out, before we got here and at the event. But we’re not doing the times needed to be competitive here, we need more time to set up the bike and doing six laps will not achieve what we set out to do and I’ve always reckoned this is not the place to be out riding just to make up the numbers, so as a team we agreed it wasn’t right competing in the Senior TT.”
The Pokerstars Senior TT is due to begin today at 15.15.
