In bright but breezy conditions the delayed second Supersport TT got underway on the Glencrutchery Road this morning. Inclement weather on both Wednesday and Thursday forced the delay of the second and final middleweight TT, forcing organisers to adjust today’s timetable to accommodate the popular race, albeit shortened to just two laps.
Ringwood’s James Hillier was confident of progress from Monday’s opening Supersport TT, where a fifth-place finish gave a clear direction in which to work with his Yamaha R6. As the race time approached the breeze picked up to accompany the warm and sunny weather but thankfully not enough to curtail the action as Hillier lined up in anticipation of that all-important tap on the shoulder.
The former Lightweight TT winner placed himself in the top three as the riders headed through Glen Helen for the first time and as the lap continued, Hillier overhauled Hutchinson on the road before himself being caught by Michael Dunlop.
At the end of the opening 37.73-mile opening lap, Hillier lay sixth with a 123.46mph as he flashed past the grandstand to begin his second and final lap. As the race came to its conclusion it was a frustrating seventh-place finish for the Dakar hopeful
James Hillier, 7th place Supersport TT: “I felt I started well and was surprised to catch Hutchy reasonably soon in the opening lap but then Michael passed me and that caught me a little bit by surprise. I’m frustrated because I knew I was riding well and my RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha R6 was a joy to ride. It’s done now and in the history books and we’re now fully focused on the Senior TT.”
