Podium joy for Martin

From Hydrex Honda

Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider Guy Martin scored a podium finish but was denied an almost certain victory after a day of drama at the Kennedy International North West 200 held in Northern Ireland Saturday.

Riding the 1000cc Honda Fireblade, 26-year-old Martin finished a close second in the opening five-lap Superbike race around the nine-mile triangle on the Causeway Coast, and was comfortably leading the big money NW200 Superbike race when a water hose burst late on leaving him to coast into retirement.

Martin also scored a fourth place finish in the Superstock race and a seventh in the opening Supersport race, but crashed out uninjured in the final Supersport race.

"I'm gutted but we can build on this and everyone knows we are now knocking on the door for a TT win," Martin said. "I was well in control of the second Superbike race when the red light came on so I just cruised in, but a second place was a good result. All our bikes are now ready for the TT. They are fast and stable and it's a big thanks to the whole Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team for their efforts this week. I guess it's a case of being so close yet so far."

DeWalt Performance Tools Superbike Results
1. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 21:52.169, 2. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +0.810, 3. John McGuinness (Honda) +0.956, 4. Steve Plater (Yamaha) +1.192, 5. Gary Johnson (Suzuki) +10.257
CP Hire Limited Superstock Result
1. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 22:08.828, 2. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) +0.535, 3. Cameron Donald (Suzuki) +0.755, 4. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +1.308, 5. Keith Amor (Honda) +1.441, 6. Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki) +2.843
Club SOI, Portrush Supersport
1. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 22:46.632s, 2. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) +2.987, 3. Ian Lougher (Yamaha) +3.734, 4. Ian Hutchinson (Yamaha) +4.181, 5. Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki) +4.460, 6. Keith Amor (Honda) +4.656, 7. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +5.234, 8. Gary Johnson (Honda) +5.764