Road Racing

TT 2012: Molyneux Kicks Off Race Week With Sidecar Win

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Dave Molyneux & Patrick Farrance - Photo Credit: Simon Patterson/Pacemaker.

Dave Molyneux & Patrick Farrance - Photo Credit: Simon Patterson/Pacemaker.

 

Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance stormed to a dominant victory in the opening race of the 2012 Isle of Man TT, the Sure Sidecar race one. Molyneux took his winning tally to 15 while it was a first ever win at the event for his partner and in truth, the result was never in doubt.

The greatest challenge to the polesitters came from Ben and Tom Birchall although they trailed Molyneux and Farrance by four seconds at Ramsey on the opening lap. Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle were also in the fight for the podium places but their race was cruelly ended when they were forced to pull out at Sulby Village.

By the end of lap one, Molyneux was almost 14 seconds clear of Birchall after completing the 60.73km at an average speed of 113.269mph. The leaders went even faster second time around to extend their lead to almost half a minute, allowing them the luxury of easing off on the third and final lap.

The final margin of victory was 22.34s but the Birchall brothers were ecstatic with second, later ranking their maiden TT podium alongside their World Sidecar Championship success. Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott rode a lonely race to third while Gary Bryan and Jamie Winn claimed fourth after benefiting from a pit stop for Douglas Wright and Martin Hull. Robert Handcock and Ken Edwards finished fifth ahead of Mike Cookson and Kris Hibberd but the nightmare week for 2011 winners John Holden and Andy Winkle continued after a problem stopped them at Glen Helen on the first lap.

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