Peter Hickman bagged his fifth TT victory on Thursday afternoon as he claimed a comfortable win in the three-lap Superstock race.

The pre-race favourite continued his fine form from the day’s earlier Supersport race, winning by 26.045 seconds on the Smiths Racing BMW.

Dean Harrison was once again second, with Australia’s David Johnson pipping Michael Dunlop to third by only 0.208 seconds to land his first podium finish.

Behind Dunlop, Conor Cummins was fifth, Michael Rutter sixth and James Hillier seventh. The latter left ruing a 30-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane that denied him a shot at a spot on the rostrum.

Hickman was quick to praise the bike and the Smiths team following his third success of the week: ’The team produces such a good bike. For whatever reason it just clicks.

’All credit to them for producing a machine that is ready straight out of the box.’

Harrison said he was happy with another runners-up finish on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki: ’I’ve struggled with this bike so I’m over the moon with second.’

Johnson was delighted with his maiden podium finish which was aided by a rapid pit stop by his Honda Racing team adding: ’My guys were unreal- so thanks to them. I actually didn’t think they had put enough fuel in it, but they got it spot on!’

Johnson actually was behind on corrected time as he passed the timing point at Cronk ny Mona for a final time. ’I pushed like mad on the final bit and got it. It’s unreal - so happy.’

Ryan Kneen finished 28th, but fellow Manxie Dean Osborne’s day was cut short with an off at Appledene. He was reported as okay.

Full report in issue three of TT News - on sale tomorrow.