The Ramsey rider put the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP on the podium in the Dainese Superbike race in third place behind Michael Dunlop and Guy Martin, making an emotional return to the rostrum in the blue riband class four years after his life-threatening crash on the Mountain Course.
Cummins raised his game further in the showpiece PokerStars Senior race as he challenged Dunlop in the first half of the six-lap event, eventually taking a stunning runner-up finish as he crossed the line 14 seconds behind the Ulster rider.
The 28-year-old proved he could still compete at the forefront on the biggest stage of all and his performances have earned Cummins a second season with Honda, although the deal is yet to be officially confirmed.
However, the news could be announced in the coming days at the annual Motorcycle Live Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where Cummins is among a host of star names in attendance.
The Isle of Man rider said he was grateful to Honda for throwing him a ‘lifeline’ in 2014 and is confident of remaining in the team next year.
“Honda have been happy with me this year and what I’ve done so that’s good enough for me. There are still a few things to be confirmed and officially announced but it’s looking very hopeful anyway,”
Cummins told Manx Radio.
“
I was given a lifeline really to be fair [by Honda in 2013] and I’m really grateful for it. Honda gave me a great package, as did Jackson Racing and the RAF Reserves team. They gave me the right tools to show what I can go and do, or show damn near what I can do anyway.”
The ‘Ramsey Rocket’ competed in the Supersport class for Jackson Racing and was supplied with a Superstock-trim Fireblade by British championship outfit RAF Reserves Honda to complement his outings on the factory Superbike at the North West 200 and TT.
Cummins, though, missed the final big international meeting of the year at the Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix in August after breaking his forearm in a crash on the Jackson Honda at the Southern 100 in July.
The former Dundrod outright lap record holder was expected to be right in the mix for honours at the world’s fastest road race but no doubt will aim to make amends next August.
