That time of year again....

That time of year again....

..... when the REAL men are out on the track. I am of course referring to the Isle of Man TT.

Over 37 miles of fast roads, brick walls, lamp-posts, phone boxes, etc, and over 200 Miles in a six-lap race. In the Superbike race today John McGuiness became the 2nd most successful rider of all time, beating Mike Hailwood's 14 wins (Still another 11 to go to beat the All-time record of 26 by Joey Dunlop), and to top it all, he set a new outright lap record of 130.442mph . HM Plant Team-mate Steve Plater in 2nd, with Guy Martin 3rd.

The Winner's Garland was presented to him by a certain Mr Rossi, who then hopped on a Yamaha R1, to do a parade lap, along with TT Legend, and fellow compatriot, Giacomo Agostini.

Having been a couple of times - once during Practice Week, and another during Race Week - It is quite an awesome thing to witness, especially around the Mountain part of the course. Incredibly dangerous, but it does take a special kind of rider to do well there. John McGuiness is reasonably good on "normal" circuits, but like the Great Joey Dunlop, never really a front runner. Stick them on a road Circuit like the Isle of Man, North West 200, or the various difference Irish races, and they fly.

There is an extra special race this year, the TTXGP Race. It is single lap race, and will be the Quietest Motorcycle Race on the Island ever, with most (possibly all ???) of the bikes running on Electric Power. The idea is for it to be the first ever Carbon Neutral Bike Race.

Anyway, anyone wanting to keep up with coverage, there are a whole load of programs on ITV4 this week.