Satisfying seventh in Macau for McGuinness
Morecambe’s John McGuinness finished his injury-interrupted 2014 road racing season at the weekend with a satisfying seventh place at the Macau Grand Prix. Riding the Pirtek Pro Bolt Honda, the 21-times TT winner came through from tenth on the grid to claim his 15th top ten finish around the 3.8-mile Armco-lined course.
The 42-year old was having his first outing since taking third overall in last month’s Stars at Darley meeting and the week started well when he placed a strong fifth in the opening qualifying session. John went quicker still in Friday’s second and final session, reducing his lap time by eight tenths of a second to 2m29.986s, but a number of his rivals improved by over two seconds and the end result was that he found himself bumped back to tenth overall
It all meant he would have to start Saturday’s 12-lap race from the fourth row of the grid. Riding the CBR1000RR machine ridden this season in the British Superbike Championship by Peter Hickman, a solid start by John saw him complete the opening lap in ninth place and for the next few laps he was locked in battle with BMW riders Jimmy Storrar and Steve Mercer. By half race distance, he’d moved up to seventh as he overtook Mercer just as Storrar retired and it was here where he took the chequered flag for yet another strong Macau GP finish.
John McGuinness: “I’ve been coming to Macau since 1998 and whilst I’ve won before and stood on the podium a number of times, I’m satisfied with the result this year. It’s an incredibly demanding course, both physically and mentally, and also very technical so it’s all about being in the groove and finding a good rhythm. Everyone else out there has had a full season of racing under their belts so it was always going to be difficult for me given the little track time I’ve had due to my wrist injury but I couldn’t fault how the race went. The bike went well, I felt strong and competitive and enjoyed myself so a big thanks to everyone in the team for all their hard work.”
John will now head to the NEC, Birmingham for the Motorcycle Live show which takes place from November 22-30.
More, from a press release issued by Dan Cooper’s publicist:
Cooper grabs top eight finish at Macau GP
Stroud’s Dan Cooper wrapped up his 2014 International road racing season in fine style at the weekend when he took an excellent eighth place finish at the 48th Macau Grand Prix. Riding for DMR Racing once more, the 27-year old took his maiden top ten finish around the demanding 3.8-mile road circuit to add to the high class results already achieved this year at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.
The former 125cc British Champion was having his just his third outing around the armco-lined course whilst he also had to re-familiarise himself with the BMW S1000R machine he last campaigned at the same meeting twelve months ago but he soon got into his stride. Indeed, he got quicker as race week wore on and after posting the 15th fastest time in the opening qualifying session, he lapped some 2.5s quicker in the second and final session to move up to 12th overall and set himself up nicely for Saturday’s 12-lap race.
A good start to the race, held alongside the prestigious World Touring Car Championship and International F3 events, saw Dan hold station but, lapping at almost identical pace to what he had done in qualifying, he soon moved up inside the top ten to challenge not only seasoned Macau GP specialists but also some of the sport’s finest road racers. Closing up to 21-times TT winner John McGuinness and regular leading privateer Steve Mercer, Dan had high hopes of climbing higher still but as the race entered it’s second half, he had to ease his pace slightly due to arm pump and, secure in eighth, he wisely settled for the position for another superb road racing result.
Dan Cooper: “Macau’s like no other road race meeting we go to and with it still being only my third time here, I’m still learning my way around the place but I couldn’t have been happier with how the week turned out. I eased my way into things during free practice and qualifying but was delighted to reduce my lap times by two and a half seconds in the final qualifying session to move up to 12th. I made a good start to the race and was soon up to tenth and by half race distance, I’d caught both John and Steve. I was really happy with how I was riding but it’s such a demanding circuit though and there’s never any respite and, sadly, my arms started to pump up and I had to concentrate on holding onto my eighth place, which I duly did. It’s a great result to end my year so special thanks to everyone at DMR Racing, The Space Centre, IVS Motorsport, Stroud Sports Clinic and TTR Racing. Roll on 2015!”