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Isle of Man TT Festival 2006 - Supersport Junior Race [4 laps] – Race
Overview
Bruce Anstey battled through blisteringly hot conditions earlier today to take
third place in the IOM Steam Packet Supersport Junior TT. Never outside the top
three, Anstey’s opening lap of 122.237mph kept him within 10 seconds of
leader John McGuinness but his GSX–R600 TAS Suzuki suffered in the Manx
heat on laps two and three leaving the Kiwi with an uphill battle. Never one
to say die, Bruce posted an amazing final lap of 123.084mph, which was only bettered
by John McGuinness who took the victory and Ian Hutchinson in second place.
Adrian Archibald opened his account with a lap of 118mph leaving him in 11th
place but the Ballymoney man struggled to find his previous TT form finishing
the race in a disappointing 13th position, albeit in silver replica time.
Bruce Anstey
“I’m never over confident but I knew this race was mine today. I
was posting 122mph laps in practice with ease but today the bike just didn’t
feel one hundred percent. It could have been the heat… I’m not quite
sure, but I am absolutely gutted. My final lap was inside the old lap record
proving how strong the GSX–R600 can be running slightly under–powered.
That’s racing and I suppose and I shouldn’t be too disappointed with
a podium.”
Adrian Archibald
“What can I say, I just couldn’t get dialled in today and struggled
to match my practice times. The bikes may have been slightly off but it wouldn’t
have made too much of a difference for me. I hold my hands up – it wasn’t
my day but I’ll be back for more. The TT can be so unforgiving be we have
finished, although I am very disappointed.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager
“I suppose you should never be too despondent with a podium at the TT but
we are here to win and show how good the Suzuki machinery compares to our rivals.
It was a tight race, but then I take my hat off to John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson
they rode superbly today. All three did dip under the previous lap record but
without making it sound like sour grapes, our bike wasn’t totally on song
today – I have yet to discover the problem but Bruce is in no doubt that
it cost him the victory.”
7 June 2006