RE: John McGuinness ruled out of 2017 TT

RE: John McGuinness ruled out of 2017 TT

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



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
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?
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.

 

Author
Discussion

V8 FOU

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

146 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
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.

robinh73

917 posts

199 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
It is a great shame, McGuiness is such a top bloke and as has been said, the TT will not be the same without him and the Honda there. He still has the ability to win, but as for Guy Martin, sadly I don't think he has it in him to do so. He has been so close when he was at the peak of his career, but he just hasn't got the focus to get the win. Such a shame, as he has been great for the sport, but he just hasn't got what it takes now. Even less so since he has thrown himself into cycling. Shame.

chris4652009

1,563 posts

83 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
He's So lucky to be alive, I'll be very surprised if he ever races again.

Such a terrible way to end an amazing career.

Dakkon

7,826 posts

252 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Lots of interesting comments, personally I think John continuing with racing will be down to how quickly / easily he recovers, he still wants to equal Joey's record, so I think there is life in the ol' dog yet.

Also with Guy, not prepared to write him off at all, I think he has the talent to win, met him a couple of times, once he was the guest speaker to a dinner, fascinating stories, easy charm. Providing Honda give him a competitive bike he can win.

robinh73

917 posts

199 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Dakkon said:
Lots of interesting comments, personally I think John continuing with racing will be down to how quickly / easily he recovers, he still wants to equal Joey's record, so I think there is life in the ol' dog yet.

Also with Guy, not prepared to write him off at all, I think he has the talent to win, met him a couple of times, once he was the guest speaker to a dinner, fascinating stories, easy charm. Providing Honda give him a competitive bike he can win.
McGuiness is still capable of the win for sure, no doubt about it, as it is experience rather than age that gets wins at the TT and the like.
Guy has had competetive bikes, but by the end of lap 4 in a superbike race, his mind drifts towards Scania V8s rather than the next 2 laps. He was robbed in 2010 when he was 0.1kmh over the pit lane speed limit and incurred a 30 second time penalty which was his best chance. I like Guy, have raced with him and he is a seriously fast lad, but he has other things going on in his head that stop him from winning.

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
robinh73 said:
It is a great shame, McGuiness is such a top bloke and as has been said, the TT will not be the same without him and the Honda there.
Even as an occasional armchair TT follower, I know one of the ingredients required to make a good contemporary TT is having a racer called McGuinness in the running. It's a real shame when the top guys in any sport are sidelined.

I watched the a documentary about JMcG a few years back and really warmed to the guy. Hugely modest, given his talents and a very likeable and admirable talent. Heal well.

I'd like to think Guy Martin might be able to tame the bike and perhaps claim a race in John's honour. Let's hope Honda get things sorted.

Robert-nszl1

401 posts

87 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
chris4652009 said:
He's So lucky to be alive, I'll be very surprised if he ever races again.

Such a terrible way to end an amazing career.
Arguably better that way than in a wooden box

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

124 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
And that's how quickly everything can end.
Think about it.

wormus

14,509 posts

202 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
I definitely agree that age is more than made up for by experience. Mc Guinness is only 45, same age as Michael Rutter and Bruce Anstey is 48. Rutter was on fire at the North West on Sat and anyone who saw firsthand John win the Senior TT a couple of years ago by over 17 seconds will be in no doubt that he still has the ability. He's still the master to many, more worrying is why he fell off the Fireblade in the first place.

As for Guy Martin, I don't think he'll even come close to a win, assuming he can stay on it.

cadoganpier

37 posts

182 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
I think it will be interesting to see who, if anyone they can get to ride the second bike. The only other competitive Honda riders are Lee Johnson or Bruce. Bruce rides for Padgetts who might be persuaded to let him go seeing they are effectively a Honda B team, especially if they offered him the electric bike. He rode it last year so that makes sense, I also suspect he would beat GM hands down on it. I can't imagine riders lining up to ride the new bike though....... all in all it's not been a great year PR wise for Honda what with F1.

chris4652009

1,563 posts

83 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
wormus said:
I definitely agree that age is more than made up for by experience. Mc Guinness is only 45, same age as Michael Rutter and Bruce Anstey is 48. Rutter was on fire at the North West on Sat and anyone who saw firsthand John win the Senior TT a couple of years ago by over 17 seconds will be in no doubt that he still has the ability. He's still the master to many, more worrying is why he fell off the Fireblade in the first place.

As for Guy Martin, I don't think he'll even come close to a win, assuming he can stay on it.
As for Guy Martin, he could crash a bike on paddock stands

V8 FOU

Original Poster:

2,970 posts

146 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
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?

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
If anyone is going to get the Honda ride it will be Gary Johnson as he was trying to run his own team but failed to make the NW200 so he'd be a good bet.

The bigger issue is whether or not HR use the new Blade as they'd be the only team doing so, I personally think they'll be there it's a PR disaster if they don't.

As for the TT I don't see MD winning a Superbike race this year, the Superstock I can't call it's really close, the Supersport is one that most people won't call, William (as long as his engine doesn't give up) Dunlop his 600 was flying but proved fragile at the Northwest.

One to look out for is Derek Sheils a true Road Racer who's learnt his craft by doing the hard yards by winning races like the Skerries Cookstown 100 etc, although he's on a 2016 GSXR it's a well sorted machine.

As good as Dean Harrison is his bike isn't fast enough for a win.


cadoganpier

37 posts

182 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
I think Peter Hickman is a very good each way bet for both the Super Stock and the Superbike. He vary quick when he needs to be and doesn't make mistakes. He had a quiet NW200 but the bikes where all brand new. I think it will be him and Hutchy in the bike race, I just can't see MD putting together a 6 lap run on the Suzuki though I will look forward to seeing him try.

wormus

14,509 posts

202 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
I wonder how Hillier will do this year?

I think it will be Hutchy all the way although MD seems to be getting to grips with the Suzuki judging by the Northwest. By the end of practice week, assuming weather is good and he can get it set up, I certainly wouldn't bet against him.

Only just over a week to go before I'll be catching the ferry smile

tvrolet

4,251 posts

281 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
nerd photos are from Knockhill

Couldn't find photos of the IOM or NW200 as being more representative of the current story?

blackmdj

34 posts

280 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
quotequote all
John is conflicted. He wants to equal Joey's record but he never has liked the gym and it's getting tougher with age. If he heals well there's still time. Guy seems to be past his best. He said himself that he needed to dedicate an entire year building towards a competitive TT and he only signed with Honda in January . At least if the bike keeps throwing him up the road he won't get bored. Get well soon John.

chris4652009

1,563 posts

83 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
quotequote all
blackmdj said:
John is conflicted. He wants to equal Joey's record but he never has liked the gym and it's getting tougher with age. If he heals well there's still time. Guy seems to be past his best. He said himself that he needed to dedicate an entire year building towards a competitive TT and he only signed with Honda in January . At least if the bike keeps throwing him up the road he won't get bored. Get well soon John.
John has said openly on many occasions that he didn't want to equal or beat Joey's record, Out of pure respect for his idol.


trickywoo

11,706 posts

229 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
quotequote all
I'm not sure if we've discussed it here or elsewhere and know there was speculation about the throttle not shutting when John closed it but its in black and white here http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/tt-road-races/...

Can't see John making excuses for a mistake, so fundamentally the flyby wire throttle on his bike was dangerous and Honda don't know why. Someone would need to be completely mad to volunteer to ride it on the IOM without cast iron guarantees the issue was diagnosed and fixed for good. Equally I wouldn't be the team manager saying the bike is fine to ride without knowing exactly what went on.

Dakkon

7,826 posts

252 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
quotequote all
From what I have read they say they are still competing in the TT and Guy is still riding?