He's always been honest and said the reason he keeps going is because he knows he can win at least one race; he also said that when he felt he couldn't do that then he'd retire rather than just ride for top 10's. I think that time is very nearly on us, unless he pulls a rabbit out of the hat and podiums in the Senior.

Last years TT was a disaster for him, and I do wonder if he started to question whether he was still good enough to win, and (mentally) ignored the fact that he was riding with a weak arm, hence the results he got. It doesn't take long before the "soul searching" starts to erode the confidence, even when there was a valid physical reason for his results.

The fact that he's talking about a "long hard look at himself to see if he wants to continue", suggests that the doubts have very much set in, and I wouldn't be surprised if he looks at his career, realises he's achieved masses, but it's time to walk away and leave it to the young un's.

Could he still win around the island? I believe he still can - you don't stop being a fast rider, however you do/can stop having the desire to push like you used to, and once that desire has gone it's very, very hard to get back.