Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider Guy Martin scored a podium finish but was denied an almost certain victory after a day of drama at the Kennedy International North West 200 held in Northern Ireland today. Riding the 1000cc Honda Fireblade, 26 year old Martin finished a close second in the opening 5-lap Superbike race around the 9-mile triangle on the Causeway Coast, and was comfortably leading the big money NW200 Superbike race when a water hose burst late on leaving him to coast into retirement. The Kirmington, Lincs rider also scored a fourth place finish in the Superstock race and a seventh in the opening Supersport race, but crashed out uninjured in the final Supersport race but despite that was happy with his day’s work. Guy Martin: “I’m gutted but we can build on this and everyone knows we are now knocking on the door for a TT win. I was well in control of the second Superbike race when the red light came on so I just cruised in, but a second place was a good result. All our bikes are now ready for the TT. They are fast and stable and it’s a big thanks to the whole Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team for their efforts this week. I guess it’s a case of being so close yet so far.” Shaun Muir (Team Owner): “This was the best I’ve ever seen Guy ride and we were almost guaranteed a win in the second Superbike race when the water hose broke, but these things happen. At least we got a podium and I’m pleased that Guy has no injuries after he crashed in the second Supersport race. This has been a mega effort by the team and we’ve learned a lot for the TT so everything bodes well.” DeWalt Performance Tools Superbike Result 1, Michael Rutter (Ducati) 21m52.169s, 2, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +0.810s, 3, John McGuinness (Honda) +0.956s, 4, Steve Plater (Yamaha) +1.192s, 5, Gary Johnson (Suzuki) +10.257s. CP Hire Limited Superstock Result 1, Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 22m08.828s, 2, Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) +0.535s, 3, Cameron Donald (Suzuki) +0.755s, 4, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +1.308s, 5, Keith Amor (Honda) +1.441s, 6, Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki) +2.843s. Club SOI, Portrush Supersport 1, Steve Plater (Yamaha) 22m46.632s, 2, Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) +2.987s, 3, Ian Lougher (Yamaha) +3.734s, 4, Ian Hutchinson (Yamaha) +4.181s, 5, Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki) +4.460s, 6, Keith Amor (Honda) +4.656s, 7, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +5.234s, 8, Gary Johnson (Honda) +5.764s.