I saw some footage of him in the background laughing and joking with the other riders yesterday, I had to do a double take
After winning today, MD said he was happy, he just wasn’t very convincing on the radio. Hickman sounded happier with second. If you consider that MD has lost his uncle, Father and brother when racing his surly demeanour is probably understandable. But if winning a race doesn’t make you really happy I’m not sure it’s worth the risk of carrying on.
Had a good days racing, found a bit of shade between the Creg and Kates. Both races were spectacular, but there were not many sidecars, is the class going to die out after celebrating 100 years this year? Also a shame about the delayed start, the Porsche Panamera involved in the serious rtc at the 33rd is certainly not worth a six figure sum anymore. It looked very second hand as it went past on the recovery truck. Hope all those injured are doing OK. Conker trees tomorrow for the Superbikes. There's a bit more shade there. It is very un-manx weather.
Fair enough. But at that level public attention/media stuff goes with the territory. It’s no use sulking about it. I actually met and engaged Guy Martin in Schiphol airport. We blethered away for 45 minutes- he was great!
Been here a few days now.....2nd year ill say this....its really quiet!! observations... 1. Literally no "random nutters" step back 5,10 whatever years and there'd be people dumping clutches out side pubs - (seen a fair few wheelies past the crosby when we've been sat out....) 2. Went to the grandstand last night about 7pm....everything shut....wtaf 3. Hardly any supercars going for it over the mountain.....used to be always good to watch...! 4. Ramsey early evening pre-covid would be fucking heaving....not last year not this year... 5. Shops behind the promenade....mostly closed and half of those are closed down.. Weve booked the ferry for next year....if its as quiet again....not sure ill come back...its like everything has been sanitized, and normalized... (thats just my take though) - the only bonus is the mountain section is quieter for those of us that like to frequent it!!
All sounds a bit sad. Hopefully it’s just a case of getting momentum again. But I see the word ‘sanitised’ a lot these days. Not good…
This is a shame, although... being someone who get's quite anxious about being in crowded places/queing for ages at bars etc, I have always been a little put off by the idea of how busy the TT used to be, so haven't gone. That's not to say that's how it should be, it should be absolutely buzzing.. I do think it's on the decline though, I saw some articles about how the TT had been given a £300k investment for dedicated trauma doctors etc following last year, tbh I read it as a positive thing, it may well make the difference and for the amount of staff they got, I didn't think £300k was too much, but the article was one of those that's aiming to call out the 'dangerous unnecessary risk and cost to the tax payer'
Just catching up after a weekend away, cracking first race, how close was 2nd/3rd - amazing after that distance
I dont know if its changed since i was last there (the year before covid) but the food takes you a week to get over when youve got back. Fried everything with chips and you feel like a walking burger getting on the ferry to come home. Having said that the Mandarin Takeway place on parliament square is great (as is the chippy thats always heaving). Had a lovely beef in black bean sitting on the harbour wall there one evening for not a lot of £££.
Modern day gladiators putting it on the line for our entertainment, plus their own personal goals in life. let's hope it continues in the following decades for the future fans.
I’ve got to sort my viewing spot for tomorrow. Thinking about up on the bank overlooking Quaterbridge / Bradden, haven’t been there before so might give it a go. It has to be said riding over the mountain on a bike with spud tyres which tops out at 60 is a very different experience!
Google says its tonight but you click on the link and it just says what a lovely time you could possibly have in Port Erin. If its a nice evening why not take a ride/wander etc... (Bradden church is the best place if youre down that way tmrw btw great view, great tea and cake and clean toilets)
Braddan Church will do you well, parking behind the church, a few quid to get in, homemade cakes and food, nice toilets.
Looks like Michael's done his homework on Hickman this year based on his two race wins so far, and perhaps he wants all the wins this year for himself. If anybody deserves to match or pass his uncles record then he's the man with the correct mindset & bloodline for road racing. Also just watched the No Room For Error programme, it's a series so worth a tune in. With 226 race miles for every individual rider at race pace, this makes the Moto Gp boys with their 25 laps and smooth tarmac look like a girls night out in comparsion.
a fan are we?! fair point ref distance, but bravery aside. You can’t say riding a MotoGP bike is easy, I’ve never done it, but they are 150KG and over 300HP now… not to mention carbon brakes, they are total monsters
From a observation perspective the two are very different sporting venues in my tiny little mind, i grant you they're both on two wheels, but the road racing is more of a challenge with that speed, distance and punishment on the machinery & human.
