Isle of Man TT Daily Update - Saturday 2 June 2024

Superbike Race 2 June 2024

The Isle of Man TT Superbike races are usually remembered for amazing racing, records being smashed and unfortunately when it all goes wrong, massive crashes. The first Superbike race of 2024 will, however, be always remembered for pit lane faffs. Some were minor, Davey Todd had a slow one being unable to restart the TAS Racing BMW and would have taken the lead if it had gone smoothly. Hickman had at one point moved up to second, but a slow pit stop for him dropped him to third.

All of these pale into insignificance compared to #6 Michael Dunlop’s pit stop. With a 20 second lead he exited the pits only for his visor to come adrift. There was no way he was going be able to continue so he pulled in and fixed it, which added 40 seconds to his time, gifting Dean Harrison the lead.

#3 Harrison later reported his Honda Fireblade becoming more unstable as his fuel load reduced, which explains why he dropped down the order to finish third. #8 Todd who came in second explained that the 20 seconds he lost in the pit stop cost him the lead, but he went on to say second was where he should have crossed the line in any case.

Peter Hickman took his 14th TT win in fortunate circumstances, but it is an endurance race and we, the spectators, have seen this all before. The stress put on these machines, riders and pit crew can induce failure in a 226 mile race. This is what makes the TT so special and exciting to watch.

We should also mention Hickman’s FHO team mate #7 Josh Brookes who didn’t finish. Unfortunately he retired from the race at Handley’s after his chain came off.

During the interviews Peter Hickman summed it up for me.

“I’ve lost races here because of bike problems and other things, so it’s swings and roundabouts. We have been gifted it a little bit, but to finish first, first you’ve got to finish.”

Unsung Heroes

Michael Russell #34 who has had two DNF with mechanical problems in the two races he has started this week had no such problems in the Superbike races. Finishing in a very respectable 22nd, he has seven races to go in his ten race challenge. Getting six laps under his belt at race pace will set him up nicely for tomorrow’s Superstock and Supertwin races.

Matt Stevenson qualified on the Dafabet Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR ZXT02N in 28th place out of 53 starters in the RST Superbike. Bringing it home in 17th is a great achievement for Matt considering the injuries he sustained at last year’s TT. Matt will be out next on Tuesday in the Superstock race.