Hodson left frustrated but Daley on a high as TT gets underway

There have been mixed fortunes for the Wigan's riders so far at this year's Isle of Man TT.
Josh DaleyJosh Daley
Josh Daley

Riders John Ingram, Josh Daley, and Jim and Rob Hodson all put their practice sessions to the test on Monday for the four-lap Supersport TT.

But while three celebrated strong results, Rob Hodson was left frustrated with a disqualification.

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The spray painter and Wigan Warriors fan had initially finished 14th before scrutineers chalked-off his result for ‘running an over-sized engine’.

He wasn’t the only victim of post-race scrutineering, with Michael Dunlop also being disqualified, but Hodson took to Facebook to vehemently deny wrongdoing on his part.

“I didn’t race four laps risking my life on the most dangerous circuit in the world on the off chance of getting away with cheating – think about it,” he wrote.

“Of course there are a few clever internet racing experts who are using my name in bad light because of what has happened, I have never intentionally cheated in any race in my 11-year racing career.

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“I personally do not: Own the bike in question, maintain the bike, build the engines, fit the engines.

“I am the rider, I clean the bikes and change a wheel every now and again and that’s it, as I said above I don’t build engines, so can I ask that if you do want to pass comment then please do it in person and not spread rumours, lies and 
try to cause more bother online.”

Hodson was racing alongside his dad, Jim, who has a rich TT pedigree and was taking part for the 35th time.

Jim placed 28th in the Superport race, four places behind Ingram.

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Both Hodson and Ingram also twisted the throttle at the Superstock TT.

Hodson, whose BMW S1000RR sports pink livery to raise awareness of breast cancer, came 25th in the Superstock while Hindley joiner Ingram pipped his Wigan rival, coming in 20th place.

And Hindley youngster Daley enjoyed the success story of the day with a solid debut at the course.

From 73rd on the grid for the Supersport race, the youngster fought his way up to 48th on his Kawasaki ZX-6R, despite using this year as an experience to learn the Mountain Course and eventually become a TT regular.

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The TT remains the crown jewel in road racing, but the circuit is not without its controversy, claiming the lives of 250 riders in its history.

Two competitors lost their lives in a single day of TT racing last week.

Australian rider Dwight Beare, 27, was killed in Sidecar race one, and later, 50-year-old Paul Shoesmith died after crashing on the Sulby Straight.

The action took a break on Tuesday but all four Wiganers will get the chance to test themselves at the world’s most famous road race again on Wednesday.

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All four are taking part in the second Supersport TT race, while Rob Hodson is also poised to race in the Lightweight TT.

And Hodson is particularly keen to make an impression following his frustrations so far, which also bled into last Friday’s practice session, where he was forced to stop at the Mountain Box section of the course.

“I am sorry to everyone who has helped and sponsored me so far – for the situation, I will try my hardest on Wednesday for you all,” he said.

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