Top four for Martin Finnegan in IoM TT Superbike

Klaffi Honda
By Phil Wain
June 5 2006

Isle of Man road races: Martin Finnegan put in a solid performance in Saturday’s six-lap TT Superbike race to finish in fourth place at an average speed of 122.385mph.

After a troublesome practice, when he had struggled to get the Honda FireBlade to handle, a few alterations prior to the race helped and the Klaffi Honda/Alpha Boilers rider was able to ride at a pace he was happy with.

Conditions on the Isle of Man were perfect and, starting at number six, Martin blasted away from the line and at Glen Helen on the opening lap he was holding onto fourth place. Indeed this was the position that he occupied for the entire race, and his opening lap of 125.438mph would prove to be his fastest on the day. Having overhauled Jason Griffiths and Paul Hunt on the road, it was quite a lonely race for the Lusk rider and, although he ended the race a minute down on the third placed rider, Ian Hutchinson, he was over 27 seconds clear of fifth - and fourth place was yet another excellent TT result for the 25-year-old.

Speaking at the conclusion of the six laps Martin commented:
“I’m happy enough with today’s result, and all in all it was a good race. My first lap was really good, and the pit stop went well, so I was hopeful of making it into third - but I started to get problems from the rear wheel so I had to back off a bit in the second half of the race. One of the teeth had come off the rear sprocket, which was why the back end was making some strange noises, but I got the bike home and I’m pleased with fourth.

“The handling is still not 100%, but it was a lot better than in practice, and we’ll make a few more changes in time for the Senior. Practice week has been problematical to say the least, so fourth is a good result today, and I’m happy with that. There’s three more races to go so three more chances to get on the podium.”

Martin’s next race is in tomorrow’s four-lap Superstock race.