John McGuinness set a new lap record in the TT Zero as he became a 21-time Isle of Man TT winner.
The 42-year-old, who is riding with a wrist injury, set an impressive lap of 117.366mph on the Mugen Shinden bike to go just five TT wins behind the 26 set by the legendary Joey Dunlop.
McGuinness took a clear 23 second victory over team-mate Bruce Anstey, while former TT Zero winner Rob Barker took third on the Buckeye CurrentRW-2, four minutes and thirty seconds behind Anstey.
The battle for third was much closer than the fight for the win, with Barker narrowly beating Team Sarolea Racing‘s Rob Wilson to the final step of the podium by less than a tenth of a second. Mark Miller and Timothee Monot completed the top six. Four of the ten starters failed to make it back to the Grandstand.
“It’s been a tough week but it is great to get one for this incredible team,” said McGuinness, whose new lap record was faster than the current Sidecar record. “They are very clever people. I was gutted to lose this race last year but I’ve made the top step now. That is probably me done in terms of race wins this week – I’ve yet to make a decision on whether I’ll race in the Senior. I’ll come back fitter and stronger next year.”
McGuinness has already withdrawn from Wednesday afternoon’s Supersport race because of his wrist injury.
