Team DMRR Honda Racing’s Lougher has contested the ultra-competitive event for more than 20 years and used his vast knowledge of the demanding 37.75-mile mountain course to his advantage. Despite limited testing time on the Pirelli-shod Team DMRR Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade, the County Down-based rider showed good form and completed race distance in 1:51:42.70 (121.59mph). His time at the chequered flag was just two minutes behind victor John McGuinness.

Earlier this week, 38-year-old Lougher posted some encouraging lap times aboard the machine in preparation for the highly anticipated opening Superbike race. During Tuesday’s practice session, he had significantly improved his best time and felt comfortable with the machine’s set-up. His result yesterday proves the capabilities of the road-going Fireblade.

A positive start to the gruelling 226.5-mile race enabled Lougher’s team-mate Richard Britton to move quickly into second place behind McGuinness. The Enniskillen-based rider managed to hold this position for two laps, but was forced into third by Ulsterman Adrian Archibald on lap three.

Thirty-four-year-old Britton later retired at Alpine Cottage on the fourth lap, following technical problems with the Team DMRR Honda Racing Fireblade.

Ian Lougher: ”I’m really pleased to have finished in fourth position – it’s a great result for Team DMRR Honda Racing. We haven’t had a lot of testing time on the CBR1000RR Fireblade, but it just goes to show how capable the machine is. I’m confident of another great finish in Friday’s Superbike race.”

Richard Britton: “I’m disappointed not to have completed race distance – but it can’t be helped. We were right up there in second position for a couple of laps, and I think we could have finished on the podium. It’s unfortunate for the team, but there’s always the next race to look forward to.”

Duke TT Superbike race result

1. J. McGuinness (Yamaha) 1:49:25.74; 2. A. Archibald (Suzuki) 1:50:02.04; 3. M. Finnegan (Honda) 1:51:18.16; 4. I. Lougher (Team DMRR Honda Racing) 1:51:42.70; 5. R. Porter (Yamaha) 1:52:09.16; 6. G. Martin (Suzuki) 1:52:22.87; 7. J. Griffiths (Yamaha) 1:52:26.88; 8. C. Heath (Honda) 1:53:05.38; 9. J. Maeda (Honda) 1:53:55.19; 10. I. Armstrong (Yamaha) 1:55:03.55; DNF. R. Britton (Team DMRR Honda Racing)