John McGuinness MBE says the Isle of Man will ‘always have a big place’ in his heart after an emotional Classic TT which celebrated three decades of racing on the Mountain Course.

The 23-time TT winner was speaking to Isle of Man Today after Tuesday evening’s Classic TT prize presentation at the TT Fan Park, following a memorable few days which saw him return to winning ways and celebrate 30 years of competing on the island.

McGuinness, now 54, marked the milestone by winning Monday’s Historic Senior Classic TT on the Team Winfield Paton, his first victory on the Mountain Course since 2019.

But it was Tuesday’s special parade lap which provided perhaps the most poignant moment of the week.

McGuinness brought up the rear on the HM Plant-liveried Honda Fireblade which he rode to the first 130mph average lap at the TT 19 years ago.

Reflecting on the occasion afterwards, he said: ‘It’s been amazing and overwhelming at times. All the 30 years, the laughter, the tears, the injuries, the comebacks, the boys we’ve lost along the way.’

And the reaction from spectators around the Mountain Course clearly left a lasting impression.

‘It was really, really special, really special,’ he said. ‘See all my bikes out there. Some of your old colleagues, some of your rivals, new, old. Really, really special, and you know, all my bikes sort of all come back around. So it’s good.’

The sight of the familiar HM Plant Honda was particularly significant for McGuinness, who admitted he became nervous when he climbed back aboard the machine.

‘It actually felt like I was off out for a Formula One or a Senior TT,’ he said.

‘I just got a bit nervous, really, but sitting back on the HM Plant bike was good, you know, just a shame the clutch started slipping a bit. But through St Ninian’s, that goes away, pretty special, really, really special.’

McGuinness’s affection for the island was perhaps summed up best by his helmet, which was designed as a tribute to the places and memories that have shaped his TT career.

‘I love the Isle of Man,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if you noticed my helmet. My helmet was a thank you Isle of Man, pictures of all the things that I love.’

Among the images were the Laxey Wheel, Lady Isabella and the Palace Ballroom, places which have formed part of his life away from the racing.

‘It means a lot to me, and it always will,’ he said. ‘It’s always got a big place on my heart.’

McGuinness first came to the island to race in 1996, describing it as a dream he had finally achieved.

Three decades, 23 TT wins and countless memories later, that bond appears as strong as ever.

‘When I stop, I will always come back to TT,’ he said.