Monday 15th May 2017

John McGuinness ruled out of 2017 TT

Big North West 200 smash means TT icon will miss this year's race

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TT legend John McGuinness has been ruled out of this year's event after suffering a nasty crash during qualifying for the North West 200 - an incident that has not only seriously hampered the official Honda TT squad's preparations, but also cast a shadow over its 2017 TT participation.

Will be a very different TT this year without him

McGuinness suffered a compound fracture to his right lower leg, an injury that requires an external fixator to aid healing, as well as four broken vertebrae and three broken back ribs, ruling him out of racing the TT as he will be in a cast for six weeks to allow the vertebrae to heal. In response to the incident, the team withdrew both its Superstock and Superbike racers as the cause of the accident is determined back at the team's HQ in Louth.

"It is a real blow to John and the team, but he's got an incredible amount of spirit and is in very good hands with the medical staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital," said team manager Jonny Twelvetrees. "We now need to analyse John's bike and regroup ahead of our next test at Castle Combe in a couple of weeks before we head to the Isle of Man."

It is no secret that Honda's race teams have been struggling to adapt to the new Fireblade's ride-by-wire throttle after years using a conventional throttle and some degree of suspicion for the crash is being aimed at this new system. Especially as this is the third time John, who at 45 isn't exactly a young hot head, has tipped off the 'Blade this year. So what does this development mean for John's teammate Guy Martin? To race the TT you need 100 per cent faith in the bike, so the team needs to find a definitive cause of McG's crash as soon as possible. Also, and here is the really interesting bit, with John now out of action, Guy is in arguably the best possible position to claim his first TT win - on the Mugen. The electric TT is a two-horse race at best between the two Mugen bikes, and with John now sidelined it is up to Honda/Mugen if they go for the publicity of Guy winning and only run one bike or sign up a new team mate (Bruce Anstey perhaps?) and risk compromising that lovely publicity...

So who will take victory instead?

But before that, what has the North West - the TTs precursor - told us about the men in form? When it comes to the TT proper it looks once again like a fight between Hutchy and Michael Dunlop, with Dunlop looking as if he has clicked with the new Suzuki (unlike the Yamaha a few years ago) as he was fourth in the second Superbike race - behind Hutchy. That said, with the same bike as last year, Hutchy is still the favourite. The Supersport races will be the closest, but if practice week is dry then Dunlop may well be able to fully click with the Suzuki. That said, if it's wet the advantage will be with Hutchy in the big bike classes. However Hicky has been on form in BSB this year and is certainly due a win; but then there is also Dean Harrison, Lee Johnston, Rutter, the Norton duo, Hillier, Cummins and Guy. Plus what about Anstey on the RCV, now he has a year under his belt riding it? No McGuinness is a blow, but it will still be a cracking fortnight of action.

 

[V8 FOU]

Real shame. Hope he heals. Ex-fix on the leg is horrible, been there done that.

I hope Honda can determine the problem so that Guy Martin can get his well deserved win.

[V8 FOU]

chris4652009 said:

As for Guy Martin, he could crash a bike on paddock stands

What a crass comment.

So when are YOU racing for Honda? Racing at all?