Dean Harrison breaks practice week standing start TT lap record.
Following a slightly delayed start time, the evening session started with ideal track conditions. Pushing the clock but visually relaxed, Harrison set about the lap with the same confidence he showed at the NW200 just a couple of weeks ago. The lack of wind brought an increase in flies and dust in some sections of the 37 ¾ mile circuit, but Dean looked in commanding form across the entire lap.
Over the line, Dean’s average lap speed was confirmed at 133.222mph, a new practice week standing start lap record.
Dean maintained unassailable pace over a second lap, following up with a 133.925mph lap to take the top spot in the evening session. Team mate and 23 times Isle of Man TT races winner, John McGuinness MBE, finished the session fourth fastest with a 128.979mph lap. The first four fastest riders in the session were all riding a Honda.
Dean Harrison
It felt good to get out and get into a rhythm tonight. I felt good straight away and the bike did too. To be honest, I was more interested in seeing how differently the bike felt with a lightened fuel load, so as pleased as I was with the 133.2, I was equally happy to follow it up with a 133.9mph lap. The tyre, the bike and the conditions were good. I enjoyed my riding this evening and look forward to following it up tomorrow.
John McGuinness MBE
I finished the session happy. It takes a while to get used to the amount of flies that we have to deal with, there isn’t a round of BSB or even the NW200 that can prepare you for the flies you get here sometimes. I took a bit of a backwards step with a tyre choice for the first lap but we sorted that and moved forwards. I’ve a few small tweaks I’d like to make but at this stage of the week it’s about getting up to speed with the track and letting my brain get used to what my eyes are feeding it. I enjoyed the session, we're not a million miles from the sharp end either which is always a good place to be.
