Hutchinson and Martin star in Superstock thriller

The Royal London 360 Superstock TT delivered one of the fastest, closest and most dramatic races imaginable as the 2009 Isle of Man continued.

After securing his second TT victory earlier in the day, Padgett’s Honda rider Ian Hutchinson made it two in a day with a win on the 1000cc Fireblade.

However, he had to fight for every second of the four lap race, battling his way up from fourth, overcoming a seven second deficit and securing new lap and race records on his way to the win.

John McGuinness took an early lead and smashed the Superstock lap record on lap one with an average speed of 128.422mph.

Despite his massive speed, McGuinness held a lead of just 0.95 seconds over Hutchinson after 37.73 miles of racing. Hutchy was just 0.9 seconds ahead of third placed Keith Amor, whose gap to Guy Martin, in fourth, was just 0.45 seconds.

There was more heartbreak for TAS Suzuki’s Bruce Anstey, who pulled into the pits on lap one and retired.

As the leaders reached Glen Helen on lap two it was Martin who had moved to the front, now 0.23 seconds ahead of Amor. By Ramsey it was Hutchy in the lead, but by an incredibly slim margin of just 0.5 seconds from Martin.

At the end of lap two the riders were in the pit, but not before Hutchinson set a new lap record for Superstocks, at an almost unbelievable 129.212mph. However, any advantage was erased by a slow stop, which saw Hutchinson leaving the Grandstand seven seconds behind Martin. McGuinness also had a slow stop, allowing teammate Steve Plater to move ahead of him.

Despite the setback, Hutchinson clawed back a staggering four seconds by Glen Helen, and kept motoring to get the gap down to just 0.3 seconds by Ramsey.

At the end of one of the most thrilling laps ever, the gap between Martin and Hutchinson at the start/finish line was just 0.04 seconds! At Glen Helen it was back to 0.88 seconds and at Ballaugh 1.2 seconds in favour of Martin.

However, at Ramsey Hairpin, Hutchinson had reeled in and passed Martin, now 1.26 seconds ahead.

He built on that lead to move 5 seconds clear at the Bungalow and winning by 8 seconds – as well as setting another lap record for the Superstocks of a massive 129.746mph!

Speaking afterwards Hutchinson said:

‘Not a bad day. I could do with two races tomorrow, I’m getting used to it.’
Martin added:

‘So near yet so far. Second again, it’s no good. What a race. There’s no excuse, Hutchy was on it. I think I lead half the race, but he was going hammer and tongs.’
Amor secured third place, his third TT podium, and second podium today.

He said:

‘That was hard work. Really, really hard work, but a really enjoyable race.’