Tourist Trophy – Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts … rather badly –

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Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts … rather badly

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

After a week of testing marred by terrible weather, the first races of the Tourist Trophy 2019 were in turn disrupted and shortened. Hickman wins in Superbike, Johnston wins in Supersport… but the death of Mathison and the rain plague the atmosphere.

The weather on the Isle of Man last week was terrible! Bad weather greatly limited the running of the drivers registered for the 100th edition of the Tourist Trophy, so much so that the organizers were forced to postpone qualifying and the first races by 48 hours….

The first Superbike event which traditionally opens hostilities to the “TiTi” was therefore only contested on Monday, and was to count only four laps of the “Moutain Course” instead of the usual six. But Daley Mathison’s fall in lap three tragically and prematurely ended the race.

  • MNC special file :
  • MNC of June 4, 2019 :

“Mixed feelings today”, regretted Peter Hickman last night. "The bikes and the team have been great as always. I am both happy but sad. Rest in peace Daley, you will be missed. My thoughts are with Natalie, Daisy and all your family.".

First Superbike race

Leading the race when the red flags came out, Hickman was declared the winner: the classification was established according to the lap times at the end of the second lap, just before the unnecessary refueling. The pilot of the all-new S1000RR # 60 was only 1.8 seconds ahead of his best foe Dean Harrison…

Customary at gun starts, the Ninja n ° 2 had just taken command at the start of the race ahead of Hickman, then James Hillier on his own ZX-10R n ° 5, Connor Cummins on his CBR1000RR n ° 1, Michael Dunlop on his S1000RR n ° 6, Michael Rutter on his RC213-VS n ° 8, etc.

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

On a finally dry road, under a comforting sun but in a strong wind complicating the task of the drivers – especially in town – Harrison completed his first lap at the excellent average speed of 132.48 miles per hour (213 km / h). .. and a second faster than Hickman especially !

Starting first – as a reminder, the pilots of the Tourist Trophy set off on their own on the track, every ten seconds – the manx-born Cummins climbed to third position, 4.8 seconds behind "Hicky". Hillier, Dunlop and Rutter completed the Top 6, also spinning at over 130 mph.

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Less fortunate than his little comrades, John McGuinness entered the pits at the end of the first lap and finally did not come out: an oil pressure fault in the engine – Aprilia RSV4! – of his Norton SG8 would have forced him to abandon.

To the clear advantage of Dean Harrison on the first portion of the perilous route of the Isle of Man (4.8 sec ahead of Ballaugh Bridge), the duel finally turned in favor of Peter Hickman in the second round: as the last year, the BMW rider is the fastest on the mountain…

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Hickman who had opened his counter of victories in the Tourist Trophy in 2018 by winning the only race of Superstock and the second of Superbike (the prestigious Senior TT) begins his 2019 campaign with a third success … and the guarantee that Harrison will challenge him the next victories !

In front of his own, Connor Cummins climbs on the first podium 2019. The Honda rider is nine "Top 3" on his Isle of Man, but victory has still eluded him. Winner 18 times, Michael Dunlop has to settle for sixth place, behind Hillier and Rutter.

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Let us also point out the beautiful 30th place of our compatriot Xavier Denis on the handlebars of his Fireblade prepared by the Optimark team. His teammate Raul Torras Martinez is credited with 41st place. Morgan Govignon on his S1000RR ranks 52nd and last.

  • Tourist Trophy :
  • Manx GP 2014 :

"Not easy … I couldn’t complete the 2nd lap due to a red flag, having to stop in the mountain. We tried new settings on the 1000, but the bike was even crazier. than before! "Morgan told his friends just after the Superbike race..

"Impossible to come out strong from the bends, the handlebars in all directions, and the mountain which was a little more relaxing has become a hassle due to the wind. A very difficult TT for everyone, and unfortunately we do not get through … I hope to have some more fun with the 600 tonight! "

First Supersport race

After the first sidecar race won by the Birchall brothers (20th place for the "frenchies" François Leblond and Marlène Couillard), the drivers registered in Supersport entered the track on Monday at the end of the afternoon, but did not not had the right to a whole race…

The first SSP round lasted only two laps instead of four: the return of the rain to the west of the island unfortunately prompted the race management to interrupt a formidable battle … After 35 minutes of racing in Indeed, the three leading pilots were only separated by five seconds !

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Outpaced by James Hillier and his ZX-6R # 5 on most of the first lap, Lee Johnston and his R6 # 11 took the lead at the end of this first loop, covered at an average of 126.03 mph. Peter Hickman and his No.10 Daytona removed Gary Johnson and his own No.7 Triumph from the provisional podium.

The gap between the two leaders – and sizes in the 600cc – climbed to 4 seconds at Glen Helen, but fell to less than a second at Ballaugh Bridge and then at the Ramsey pin … Did you say tight? Consider that within four seconds of them, Hickman was still craving a second straight win. !

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

In the second loop, Dean Harrison in turn overtook Gary Johnson, soon imitated by Michael Dunlop on his CBR600RR n ° 6. The leading drivers were preparing to refuel when the race was prematurely declared over…

“I saw the checkered flag and I was confused,” said Lee Johnston last night. "I could see the rain on my bubble and my visor, but I wasn’t going to lose the race for lack of bravery in the face of a few drops of rain!"

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Winner in the same SSP category at the recent North West 200, Johnston took his first Tourist Trophy victory: "I’m so moved. I feel like I haven’t done anything different and it just worked. J saw P1 on my panel towards the end of the first round and I rushed forward. I’m absolutely thrilled ".

James Hillier and Peter Hickman accompany the Yamaha rider (private and proud of it) on the box. Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop finish – virtually – wheel to wheel and complete the "Top Five" of this first Supersport race.

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

We salute again the prowess of Xavier Denis who hoists his CBR600RR n ° 44 to a fabulous 18th place, 11 seconds behind another Honda: the n ° 3 of a certain John McGuinness! Congratulations again to Morgan Govignon who ranks 40th on his ZX-6R n ° 37.

"Tonight I had a blast with the 600, but as I only rode it for 40 minutes since the Manx GP last year, I haven’t regained the speed I had last year", regretted "Momo". "It’s bound to be disappointing considering all the effort and sacrifice made, but you have to accept it. And remember that there are other important things in life, like being able to hug your family and friends. in the evening. Have a nice trip Daley … "

Finally, congratulations as it should be Nicolas Pautet, our former Site rally driver, who finished his first – funny – race in the Tourist Trophy in 47th and penultimate place. Its average on the test: 109,859 mph. Can he cross the 110 in the second run? Case to follow on MNC: stay connected…

Tourist Trophy 2019 results

Superbike Race 1 (Monday June 3)

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

Supersport Race 1 (Monday June 3)

Tourist Trophy - Tourist Trophy 2019: the competition starts ... rather badly -

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