Retro Rewind: John McGuinness claims Superbike spoils for sixth NW200 triumph

Continuing our series of special features this week looking back at some memorable moments from Northern Ireland’s biggest road race, we reflect on McGuinness’s sixth and last victory in the opening Superbike race in 2012.

Riding the Honda TT Legends Fireblade, the 23-time TT winner was back at the ‘Triangle’ course after a rare absence from the event in 2011, when McGuinness and team-mate Keith Amor were required to race at the second round of the World Endurance Championship at Albacete in Spain.

The 40-year-old qualified strongly to put his CBR1000RR Honda on the front row of the grid in second place alongside pole man Alastair Seeley on the Tyco Suzuki and William Dunlop, who was riding Wilson Craig’s Honda.

In dry and sunny conditions, pre-race favourite Seeley moved into the lead and had opened an advantage of two seconds when he ran wide at Church corner on the second lap of six, leaving the door open for McGuinness.

The Honda rider, seeking his third Superbike victory around the 8.9-mile course, took full advantage of the Ulsterman’s error to take over at the front.

McGuinness began to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack, which included Michael Rutter on the MSS Kawasaki, Ryan Farquhar (KMR Kawasaki) and Australian Cameron Donald (Wilson Craig Honda).

Seeley, though, was on a charge back through the field and managed to force his way into second place, but McGuinness had the race in the bag as he closed out his sixth win by 4.2 seconds, with Donald almost eight seconds further back in third position.

A delighted McGuinness, who made his NW200 debut in 1994, said: “My last win here was when I won the Superbike race in 2010.

“It’s a great result for the Legends team and it’s the first time I’ve brought the bike here in the Legends colours.

“The bike was fantastic and it might not be the fastest, but it’s reliable and it’s the best package out there.

“It sets me up for next week going to the Isle of Man and I really enjoyed the race out there,” he added.

“It was really dusty and there were a few stones about. The bike is good and I felt good, but five races over six laps on the same day is tough and I was knackered after the 600 race

“Alastair may have been a bit faster than me but you’ve got to get to the chequered flag first.

“I knew on that last lap that I had six seconds in hand and if I’d lost the race from there then it would be time to hang the leathers up!”