Isle of Man TT icon John McGuinness celebrated with special parade lap

John McGuinness MBE brought the curtain down on this year’s Classic TT with a special parade lap celebrating his 30th years of competing on the Mountain Course.

The 23-time TT winner, was joined by 10 of his former team-mates and rivals including the likes of Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman for the special lap, along with younger brother Kurt.

McGuinness brought up the rear of the special cavalcade of his former machinery on the HM Plant-liveried Honda Fireblade he rode to the event’s first 130mph average lap 19 years ago.

Speaking afterwards: ‘It took me straight back to 2007. Thanks so much for the support - there was some lovely signs and pit boards out there and loads of people waving.’

‘My career keeps giving at the moment. That was something really special.’

Speaking about the celebrations of his three decades of racing in the island, he added: ‘It’s been amazing and overwhelming at times. All the 30 years, the laughter, the tears, the injuries, the comebacks, the boys we’ve lot along the way.’

McGuinness’s current Honda team-mate Dean Harrison raised a few eyebrows with a stunning lap of 17 minutes 12 seconds (131.6mph) on John’s 2026 30th Anniversary Fireblade which he rode at this year’s TT. The Ballaugh resident quipped: ‘I had to do it really as we were celebrating a very fast man!

He added: ‘I tested a few things on his bike for next year’s TT!’

Younger brother Kurt, who hinted at a Manx Grand Prix debut in the future, had a lap on John’s 2015 EMC2 Honda Fireblade Superstock bike. He said: ‘I can’t really put that into words. That was one of the best things I’ve done in my life, and I have had a pretty eventful life.’

Prior to the McGuinness celebration, a 1996 Rewind Parade Lap took place, featuring some of the bikes and riders from that year, before 30-odd classic sidecars took to the Mountain Course for a separate parade lap.