Peter Hickman explains key bike decision before Senior TT glory at Isle of Man TT
His crucial decision was justified and Hickman💝 romped to victory in the most prestigious racꦬe of the event.
He had previously broken the outright TT lap record on his Superstock machine and was giving serious consideration to using that in the Senior TT before eventually plumping fo🥀r the Superbike, which he had called a “pig” as he struggled on it all week.
“Thꩲe bike wasn't right until this morning's warm⛦-up lap,” he said.
“My plan was to get my head dow♔n and try and break the others. It seemed to work and I knew I had a bit more held back if neede🤪d.
“I can't thank all my team and s𓄧ponsors for their supp⛄ort. They've worked so hard to get the bikes right.
“Four race wins out of eight, three second places and a fourth make🅺s for one hell of a TT.”
Hickman set a n🔥ew Senior TT lap record of 135.507mph (16 minutes 42.366 seconds).
Hickman and Michael Dunlop won four races each this year, a st🦋unning testament to their ri💟valry.
Hickman has 1🐭3 career wins at the TT, but Dunlop has 25 - just one short of the all-time record held by his uncle Joey.
“I struggled from lap one despite the bike not missing a beat,” Dunlop said ab🔯out his attempt which fell short♈ of equalling the record in the Senior TT.
“I got c🍎aught in a rut and it took me to the fifth and sixth l🦩ap to really get going.
“We can't complain though - we've won ﷽four races this week and I've become the second most successful rider at the TT.”
Third-placed Dean Harrison said: “I🌸 got my head down from the start. It's nice to finish second and not third for once!
“My bike has not missed a beat all week.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a ꧂decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
