Morecambe superbike star John McGuinness MBE is preparing to compete at the Isle of Man TT Races.
The 'Morecambe Missile' is returning to the event this year, remaining with his Honda Racing UK team, for what will be his 35th season.
Carrying number 1 among the seeded riders, John, who is now 53, will lead the charge on a Honda Fireblade in the ‘big bike’ categories of Superstock, Superbike and Senior TT. He arrives in Douglas off the back of a highly impressive build-up that has seen him set personal best lap times at venues such as Donington Park and Oulton Park in pre-season testing, and running as high as third in the North West 200 earlier this month.
In 2024, he claimed fifth, sixth and seventh place class finishes - still in the very top few percent among all the riders who take on the challenge of the Isle of Man. This year, the Morecambe Missile is once again aiming for the podium.
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John McGuinness happy with Isle of Man TTs after Top 5 finish in blue riband Seniors
John currently has 23 career wins around the TT course, making him third on the all-time list of winners.
He said: “We’re in a good place for the TT, a bit of a sweet spot. We hit the ground running at the North West which meant that we were just hurtling round having fun, really. While it’s true I’ve set personal best times each time I’ve been out, I think what’s more important than that is I’m just enjoying riding my bike and being competitive.
‘’I’m in a good place and I’m grateful to still be doing it and to be able to appreciate it for what it is. It’s quite a rare thing to be in this position and work with the Honda team and with these bikes. I still love the whole TT package. There’s the track itself, the people around it - nothing really compares to it.
‘’I’ve done a lot of things in racing all over the world, but the TT is just another level and it brings it home to you that we’re still allowed to do this type of thing - and long may it continue.’’
Image: Honda UK
Honda UK Team Manager, Havier Beltran, said: ‘’The entire motorcycle world will be watching closely for the next two weeks, and the TT is of course one of those few events that really reaches everyone who is interested in sport of any kind.
‘’John is a rider who needs no introduction around the world. He continues to amaze us with his hunger to compete, and with his ability to improve his best-ever lap times year-on-year. We are optimistic for a safe and successful two weeks and an unforgettable event on this year’s calendar.”
The TT races sees riders and fans travel from all over the world to the Isle of Man to witness the famous event.
Riders race at speeds up to 200mph along closed public roads on the island, making it one of the dangerous motorsport events in the world.
The Isle of Man TT races returns from Monday May 26,2025, running through until June7.
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