What went wrong with McGuinness's TT comeback

By:

Lewis Duncan

Jun 21, 2019, 1:31 PM

John McGuinness targeted scoring a podium "at least" with Norton at the Isle of Man TT, but his return to the island - in the major classes at least - could scarcely have gone worse. What next for the veteran after his most disappointing TT?

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John McGuinness went through the very depths of hell on his journey to the starting grid of TT 2019. At the North West 200 two years ago, the throttle on his Honda Fireblade stuck open at Primrose Hill, sending him onto the adjoining golf course at 100mph. He ended up on his back, his right leg snapped in half. Months of recovery and rehab would follow as he worked towards a racing comeback at the TT in '18. Then he re-broke his leg in the off season, curtailing his plans.

The 23-time TT race winner had signed up with Norton after his relationship with Honda soured in 2017, and a glimpse of the dream partnership was had at TT '18 when he spun some 120mph demonstration laps on the SG8 Superbike.

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Lewis Duncan

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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.