Martin wins Cookstown Supersport thriller

Fans’ favourite Guy Martin took a hard-fought Supersport victory earlier today at the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 Road Races in Northern Ireland on his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600.

Fans’ favourite Guy Martin took a hard-fought Supersport victory earlier today at the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 Road Races in Northern Ireland on his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600.

Martin also kept his one hundred percent podium record intact for 2013, with a pair of second placed finishes in the Open and Superbike encounters at the County Tyrone venue, in front of a sun-baked audience, estimated at 15,000 fans.

Unfortunately team manager Philip Neill wasn’t so lucky in the Northern Ireland sunshine, breaking a collarbone and dislocating two fingers in an early morning Mountain Bike crash, but still arrived at Orritor to enjoy the Supersport victory celebrations.

Guy Martin:

“I knew I was comfortable in the Supersport race when I saw plus four on my pitboard, but probably backed off a bit too much and let Dunlop back into the race, what with slowing down and a bit of a mistake. He’s a good old boy and we had a good race but he did hit me on the last lap. I’m just glad I was able to hang in for the win. In that last Superbike race I really couldn’t have given any more. I think I led for four laps and I also went under my old lap record, but I can’t knock the man – I was just beaten by a slightly better rider on the day. We still have a few things we want to try with the Superbike before the North West but I’ve already spoken to Philip about them today and we’re on it.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“It’s our local race and we always enjoy being here and supporting the Cookstown and District Club. We come here for one reason and that’s for a run out, but I think Guy put on a great show today – he rode hard. The Supersport win was a bit unexpected being up against a World Supersport specification bike, but all credit to Michael in the Cookstown 100 race. To break the lap record three times in one race – well there’s not much you can say only congratulate the lad.”