Wigan's Josh Daley aims to fight back from TT disappointment

Wigan's Josh Daley's TT charge ground to a halt earlier today with the young rider suffering from a cold.
Josh Daley in action on the Isle of Man. Picture: Tim Keeton  Impact Images PhotographyJosh Daley in action on the Isle of Man. Picture: Tim Keeton  Impact Images Photography
Josh Daley in action on the Isle of Man. Picture: Tim Keeton Impact Images Photography

His four-lap Supersport race was cut short when he pulled into the pits after one lap and retired from the race, but he is hoping to recover in time to make his debut in Friday's Senior TT.

After admitting to making a couple of mistakes on his first lap, Daley’s decision to call it a day will be seen as a wise one for the 21-year-old, especially given the unforgiving nature of the 37 ¾ Snaefell Mountain Course.

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Daley tweeted: “Woke up this morning full of cold, can’t breathe through my nose. Started the race but struggling to breathe and made a couple of mistakes. Pitted at end of lap 1 and retired from the race. Sorry to all my sponsors & supporters. Will see how I feel Friday for the Senior. Josh #88”

But regardless of whether the rider from Hawkley Hall makes it to the start line tomorrow, the week has been a success for Daley.

His third campaign at the Isle of Man TT Races has seen him finish his first three races with the highlight being a new personal best lap of almost 121mph in Monday afternoon’s four-lap Superstock race.

He said: “The Superstock race went perfectly and I was delighted with my final lap of almost 121mph. I made a good start to the race with a lap of 118mph from a standing start and after my pit stop, I was behind Xavier Denis so I tucked in behind him and followed him around as he’s got more experience here than me and it was a really enjoyable race.

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“I am a bit disappointed the lap wasn’t in excess of 121mph as I only missed it by a few tenths but there’s always Friday’s Senior race.

“The morning’s Supersport race went okay and I just kept plugging away throughout the four laps but with yellow flags out near the Verandah on laps three and four, I kept my speed down.

“Other than that it was a trouble-free ride and I had a good battle on the road with Mark Goodings before he retired.

“The race week had started with Saturday’s Superbike race and I was really pleased to complete my first six-lap race. I’d been getting more and more comfortable with the big bike with each and every lap and whilst there’s no doubt it’s a lot more physical, it was good to start with a solid result.”

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Daley’s week had got underway on Saturday with the Superbike race, the first time he’d contested a six lap race around the world famous circuit.

A solid ride saw him claim 36th place with his fastest lap being 119.532mph.

Astley’s Mike Norbury had better fortunes in yesterday’s Supersport race, finishing 41st on his Kawasaki and lapping at 116.037mph.

In the Lightweight TT, Wigan’s Jim Hodson secured an impressive 18th-placed finish to earn a bronze replica.

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