Weardale'S Ian Pattinson opened up yet another Isle of Man Tourist Trophy campaign with a top-20 finish - his 16th career one around the iconic Mountain Course.
Despite trailing home over seven and a half minutes behind now 16-time TT, fuelled by Monster Energy, winner John McGuinness - Pattinson battled to finish 17th in the Dainese Superbike race.
The 43-year-old, riding for his own Weardale Racing team, lapped the infamous 37.73-mile Mountain Course at 119.380mph and completed the six lap race in a time of 1:53.46minutes.
McGuinness posted 1:46.13 to not only finish nearly ten seconds ahead of Pattinson but a full second head of Cameron Donald in second and Gary Johnson in third.
Pattinson won't have to wait long for a second bite at the TT cherry with the Monster Energy Supersport and Royal London 360 Superstock races pencilled in for Monday.
The 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy will be shown every evening at 9pm on ITV4 from 30th May to 12th June. For more information on the event and for live Radio TT commentary and live timings go to www.iomtt.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article