John McGuinness has confessed problems setting up his Honda Fireblade Superstock bike are threatening his hopes of a TT clean sweep, despite setting a fastest time in practice. The Morecambe-based HM Plant rider plans on racing in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport categories as well as the Senior event on the Isle of Man this year.
McGuinness laid down a statement of intent which could prove ominous for his rivals as he set an unofficial lap record during Wednesday evening's practice. The 33-year-old lapped in a time of 17 minutes 42.73 seconds at an average speed of 127.81mph, almost 12 seconds faster than nearest rival Guy Martin.
McGuinness is also holder of the official lap record which was set in 2004 when he circulated in a time of 17 minutes 42.8 seconds at an average speed of 127.68mph. But the HM Plant rider's delight at his Superbike superiority has been tempered by concerns over his Superstock machine.
"I'm not getting to grips with the Superstock bike yet, not at all," he said. "I go out there and do a confidence-building lap before setting out on a flying lap and then it's just not happening. To be honest, I'm really struggling with the stocker. I'm miles away from getting it right."
But nevertheless, McGuinness was fastest in Superstock practice this afternoon when he registered a lap time of 18 minutes 30.08 seconds at an average speed of 122.359mph, although Jason Griffiths remains the man to beat after he clocked 18 minutes 20.87 seconds at a 123.382mph average on Tuesday.
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