John McGuinness ends seven-year wait for victory with Classic TT Historic Senior win
John McGuinness has claimed his first race victory since 2019 with a dominant win in the Historic Senior race at the 2026 Classic TT.
John McGuinness proved he can still get the job done around the Isle of Man's Mountain Course, taking a commanding victory in Monday afternoon's Historic Senior race at the 2026 Classic TT.
The win marked a significant milestone for the 23-time TT winner. Not only did it come 30 years after his Mountain Course debut, it was also his first race victory since the 2019 Classic TT, ending a seven-year wait to stand on the top step once again.
Riding the Winfield Paton, McGuinness looked in control from the opening miles. He led at Glen Helen on the first lap and steadily increased his advantage throughout the three-lap encounter in near-perfect conditions.
By the end of lap one, a fastest race lap of 113.028mph had given him a healthy 20.2-second advantage over Shaun Anderson on the Beugger Racing Paton.
Mike Browne, aboard the Peter Lodge Racing Norton ES2, remained in contention in third, while Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison and Conor Cummins rounded out the early frontrunners.
As the race unfolded, retirements began to shape the order. Dunlop pulled out after completing the opening lap, Harrison later retired at Quarter Bridge and Cummins' challenge ended at Windy Corner. McGuinness, meanwhile, remained untroubled at the front, continuing to edge away from his pursuers.
The battle behind him provided much of the drama. Browne closed to within half a second of Anderson at Ramsey on the second lap and briefly moved into second place before the final lap. However, Anderson fought back and reclaimed the position after Browne slowed on the final run across the Mountain.
At the chequered flag, McGuinness crossed the line 26.8 seconds clear, sealing an emotional and emphatic victory. Anderson took second with Browne completing the podium in third.
Barry Furber secured fourth place for Ireland Racing Honda, while Will Loder came through for an impressive fifth after Harley Rushton lost time on the final lap and dropped to sixth.
For McGuinness, though, this was very much his day. Three decades after first tackling the Mountain Course, one of road racing's most decorated riders added another chapter to an already remarkable Isle of Man career.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
