Undoubtedly the greatest TT rider of his generation, McGuinness is the second most successful rider in TT history with 19 victories, two of which came during the 2012 event. The current TT Mountain Course outright lap record holder was the first man to lap the circuit at 128, 129, 130 and 131mph and is unbeaten on a Superbike at the TT in 9 years. His support for the Classic TT is a major boost for an event in its inaugural year.

John will ride Roger Winfield’s exotic BIC Paton machine, taking over from the previous rider of this machine, the recently retired Ryan Farquhar. Together Winfield and Farquhar have taken five race victories at the Manx GP with this bike, and fans will no doubt be looking forward to seeing the ‘Morecambe Missile’ make his classic racing debut on the Italian built machine next August.

 

Speaking about the plans announced at the Motorcycle Live event at Birmingham’s NEC, John said:

“Ever since the Classic TT concept was announced I have wanted to get involved and support the organisers with this exciting new idea. I love the Isle of Man and I love riding a bike around the TT Mountain Course, so getting the chance to do it on a really special Classic bike is a dream come true.”

“I've already had a little run out on the bike just for a bit of fun at the Festival of Jurby during this year's Manx Grand Prix and straight away I was impressed by how good it was to ride. Roger is a fantastic guy to work with and when he invited me to ride the bike at the Classic TT it was an easy decision to make.”

“I watched Ryan (Farquhar) on the bike during this year's Manx, and he looked incredible on it. The machine sounded really good as well and you could hear it for miles and miles after he had gone past..”

The bike’s owner Roger Winfield added:

“I’m delighted that John has agreed to ride the bike for us in the Classic TT. It is a real honour for our team to be working with one of the greatest TT riders of all time. Ryan Farquhar did a terrific job for us on the bike over the past few years, and when he retired we had to replace him with a rider of the highest calibre and there is nobody better than John McGuinness to take over the reins.”