TT News
Hutchinson wins second Supersport Race 10 June 2010 Ian Hutchinson became only
the second man to win four TT Races in a week when he
clinched a thrilling second Monster Energy Supersport race on Thursday
afternoon by just 1.45s, the fourth race in a row this week to be decided by
just a handful of seconds. The Padgetts Honda rider went toe to toe with Michael Dunlop throughout
the four laps and, having lost the lead for the first time at Ballaugh on the
final lap, charged over the Mountain to keep the young Northern Ireland rider at
bay. Dunlop had the consolation of claiming a new lap record at a stunning
127.836mph with Keith
Amor claiming another third place.
With the Island bathed in beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies, conditions
were perfect, save for blustery winds in places, for some high-speed excitement
and that?s exactly what everyone was treated to. Hutchinson showed his intent
right from the off and led through Glen Helen
although, as expected, it was again close, his advantage over Guy Martin just 0.4s. Dunlop
was only a further 0.75s back with John McGuinness in fifth and
Ryan Farquhar in sixth.
Once more, only 4.5s separated the top ten at the first timing point.
By Ramsey Hairpin, Hutchinson?s lead was still small,
only 0.52s, but Dunlop had pushed Martin back to third with Bruce Anstey now up to
fourth showing good form on the Relentless by TAS Suzuki. At the end of the lap,
Hutchinson?s lead was up to 5.4s as he lapped at 126.652mph. Dunlop was over
five seconds clear of Martin with Keith Amor, Anstey and John McGuinness rounding out
the top six.
It was nip and tuck on the second lap and whilst Dunlop could significantly eat
into Hutchinson?s lead all the way to Ramsey, bringing
the gap down to 1.4s at the Hairpin, the man of the week could pull away over
the Mountain, his short circuit prowess coming into play. Indeed, at the end of
the second lap, his lead had increased slightly to 5.77s, Martin still in third
and falling back from Dunlop but still pulling away from Amor. Local hero Conor Cummins had fought his
way up to fifth with Anstey now in sixth but it was still close with only six
seconds splitting Cummins in fifth and McGuinness in eighth.
A quicker pit stop by Dunlop saw him take time out of Hutchinson but by Glen Helen he found himself further adrift to the tune
of 6.4 seconds. However, he again proved the stronger on the twists and turns to
Ramsey and the lead was only 1.81s as they rounded the
Hairpin for the penultimate time. Hutchinson edged away up and down the Mountain
but as the riders went on to their final lap, the gap was only 3.19s and we were
set for another thrilling finale. Martin was also under extreme pressure from
Amor, only one second now splitting the duo, with Cummins still in fifth but
McGuinness now back up to sixth.
At Glen Helen, Hutchinson still led but it was down
to 1.9s and at Ballaugh, Dunlop led for the first time. He?d built on that on
the run to Ramsey Hairpin and held a 1.82s lead as
they headed up the Mountain but Hutchinson was back in front at the Bungalow by
0.49s! As everyone?s become accustomed to this week, it was going to be another
nail biting finish and as Hutchinson flashed across the line, he had an
agonising wait for Dunlop, who?d started 50 seconds behind. Hutchinson broke
Amor?s three day-old lap record at 127.611mph but Dunlop went even quicker at
127.836mph. However, it wasn?t enough and he had to settle for second by 1.45s.
Amor put in another 126mph+ lap to overhaul Martin and claim his fourth TT podium whilst McGuinness edged out Cummins for fifth by
the minuscule margin of 0.23s. William Dunlop had another
strong ride into seventh with Anstey, Ryan Farquhar and Dan Kneen
rounding out the top ten.
Hutchinson?s victory has seen him already wrap up the overall TT Championship with an unassailable 36-point lead but the
race for the inaugural Privateers Championship is still very much on. It was
American Jimmy Moore who
was first home in today?s race in 15th overall, one place ahead of Derek Brien with Olie
Linsdell in 18th and Ben
Wylie in 19th. However, it?s James McBride who continues
to lead overall with 60 points with Moore now in second on 54 and Brien third on 46. More stories >>>
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