John McGuinness confessed that he “hasn’t felt right at all” leading up to Monday’s Man Tober bike race in 2025. The 23-time TT winner had been practicing for a week and showed good pace at the start of the four-lap superbike race. Although McGuinness slipped outside the top 10 at one point, he managed to finish within the top 7 riding Honda fire trucks.
After the race, he explained, “I needed that to clear my head.” He told TT+, “It’s strange. I’ve been racing here since 1996, and I haven’t felt like this before. I’ve had a tough time lately, with some wet conditions making me cautious.” Despite that, he said the weather was favorable, and wearing the No. 1 Honda bike motivated him to maintain a solid performance. “I was lagging a bit and everyone caught up to me, but I gave it my all, hitting all the right points. I had a slow start but a strong pit stop.”
He added, “Racing is never over until the very end; you have to keep pushing and fighting. I really enjoyed the race, and that’s what racing is all about for me.” McGuinness also shared that his bike briefly slipped into neutral near the waterworks, which cost him Dean’s drafting support. “It got tricky, but I kept calm, knowing Honda had better fuel efficiency, so I thought I could manage better than others.” Despite the ups and downs, he stayed focused and was pleased to finish within single-digit positions. “When I saw P14, I worried about a much lower finish, but the team encouraged me to just enjoy it, and that’s all I could ask for.”
McGuinness skipped the SuperSport race later that afternoon since this year he only competed in the superbike and superstock classes.
Fan Take: This candid insight from John McGuinness shows even the greatest racers face tough moments, reminding fans of the mental and physical challenges inherent in the sport. His perseverance and optimistic outlook highlight the enduring passion and competitive spirit that continue to inspire the next generation of racers.
