MotoCzysz takes TT Zero race

From the Isle of Man TT

MotoCzysz, from Portland, OR, narrowly missed out on recording the first 100mph lap by an electric bike at the Isle of Man TT Races on Thursday.

Its E1PC machine, ridden by Californian Mark Miller, lapped the iconic mountain course in a time of 23 minutes 22.89 seconds to take the honours in the TT Zero race.

The team narrowly missed out on a £10,000 prize that was put up by the Isle of Man Government for the first team to record a 100mph lap.

Defending champions Agni Z1/Agni Racing took an early lead in the race at the first timing checkpoint – Glen Helen with an average speed of 95.212mph. However, by the time the teams reached Ballaugh, MotoCzysz had edged in front, recording 98.973 with Agni Z1 only five seconds behind. Agni's second bike (Agni Z2) ridden by Jenny Tinmouth was in third with the local effort, ManTTx and James McBride less than a second behind her in fourth.

Sulby Speed trap saw three machines clocking over 100mph with MotoCzysz the fastest at 135mph. Manx team ManTTx was the second fastest with 107.200 and Agni's Z1 from Agni Racing third with 104.200.

MotoCzysz stepped up the pace and by Ramsey had recorded an overall average of 103.978. Rob Barber and Team Agni were also over the 100mph mark with 100.335 with McBride on ManTTx splitting the Agni bikes with Jenny Tinmouth on Agni's Z2 in fourth place.

MotoCzysz had clearly been pacing itself and by Cronk Ny Mona had extended its lead to over a minute and was still tantalisingly close to the 100mph lap at 99.513.

However the iconic mark was to remain intact and the team crossed the line at Glencrutchery road in 23.22.89 (96.820mph). Barber and Agni Z1 were second, bettering last year's winning time with 25.21 (89.290mph) and local team ManTTx and McBride third with 25.39.50 (88.653mph).