Guy Martin fifth in Supersport TT despite penalty

GUY Martin finished fifth in the first Supersport TT race on Monday for the Smith's Racing Team despite picking up a 30-second penalty for speeding in pit lane.

Riding the factory-supported Smiths Triumph Daytona 675R, the Lincolnshire rider didn't have the best of start, but had managed to pick up the pace and move up into the top six by the end of the first lap.

Martin finished the second lap with a speed of 126.824mph and at half race distance he slotted into fourth on the time boards.

At the end of the second lap it was time for a pit stop. All hopes of a podium position faded as the 33-year-old was caught 0.9kph over the 60kph limit in pit lane and was therefore given a 30 second penalty. Martin was soon dropped down the order, but managed to salvage fifth place putting in another 126mph lap on the fourth and final lap.  

"I hadn’t been out on the bike for a couple of days and having been on my Superstock bike in the morning I was a bit lazy at the start and I think my first signal said ‘P13′," explained Martin.

"That woke me up a bit and I started to get my head into the race a bit more and the lap speeds were pretty good. As for the pit lane penalty, what can I say? It’s frustrating to say the least.

"The limiter was set well below 60kph and it was the same rear tyre that Gary Johnson used last year so we’re not sure why it happened. It’s frustrating like I say but the bike was faultless and we can give it another go on Wednesday.” 

Team Manager Rebecca Smith reiterated that 'the limiter was set at 55kph' and this was tested during practice week. The only conclusion the team have come to is that 'the growth of the tyre threw the settings out'.