Fresh from his triumphant week at the North West 200 races in Ireland where he won three of his four races, Steve Plater from Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire is anticipating a good week of racing at the Isle of Man TT races and caught the ferry on Wednesday to prepare for the first practice session on Saturday evening. Last year he took the Best Newcomer Award and was credited with the fastest ever lap by a newcomer in the history of the TT. Asked of his prospects and expectations for this year he said: “I have no expectations, I will be doing my best, that goes without saying but I very much doubt I will get on the podium let alone win a race. “The TT course is 37.73-miles long and takes a fair bit of learning, it takes years not months and I will certainly not be looking to claim the lap record. The TT course is still a learning curve for me and as long as I can keep improving I will be happy enough.” Plater will have a start number of 10 this year and said: “I started out last year with number 31 and at the end of the week was moved up to 11 for the Senior TT. The numbers are issued in order of merit with the fastest riders going off first, so to be starting my races from 10th place is fine by me.” After a week of practice Plater, riding the AIM Yamaha R1 will line up for the start of the six-lap Dainese TT Superbike race on Saturday, May 31 at noon. Next up will be the four-lap Scottish Life International TT Superstock event in which Plater will be riding his own R1 Yamaha sponsored by Nitro Helmets. The race is set for a 10.45am start on Monday, June 2. He will then hop onto the AIM Yamaha R6 for the Relentless Supersport Junior TT run over four laps starting at 1.15pm the same day. Wednesday sees the second Relentless Supersport Junior TT race starting at 10.45am, again run over four laps of the 37.73-mile mountain road course. The blue ribbon Senior TT is to be run on Friday at noon and will be the last outing of the week for Plater who will ride the AIM Yamaha R1 over a further six laps of the course.