Magnificent Guy Martin takes the Mid Antrim 150

Kirmington’s Guy Martin took his first Irish road race win of the season at the weekend, when he claimed the Mid Antrim 150 feature race. In only his second appearance at the 3.6-mile Clough course, Martin ran home a clear winner, to follow up his two runner-up places earlier in the day.

With fine conditions throughout both practice and racing, the day got off to a great start in the Superbike race, when Guy took yet another second place behind Ryan Farquhar - and a similar result was achieved in the Supersport 600cc race on the Tullyally/Craig Honda. Still learning his way around the tricky Mid-Antrim course, Guy had a tremendous battle with Adrian Archibald, eventually getting clear of his rival on the final lap, Farquhar again taking the win.

However, it all came together in the final race of the day, the Mid Antrim 150 Open race and, after getting a great start on the Robinson Concrete Suzuki, Guy took the lead and continued to pull away for the remainder of the race - eventually crossing the line almost ten seconds clear of Farquhar.

Speaking after his tremendous win a clearly delighted, and relieved, Guy said: “Thank goodness for that! After all the second and third places I’ve had this season, I was beginning to think I’d never win one. But it all came good today and I’m over the moon with the win. It’s a really tricky course, and very demanding on the rider, so with it only being my second time here I was still learning my way around. I had a major moment over Alexander’s Jump in practice and that knocked my confidence a fair bit so, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting too much on race day.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time improving the bike for the last two weeks though, and they seem to have worked as the bike was flying. I got held up a little bit in the first race, but managed to pick up a few pointers following Ryan, and the more the day went on, the more I was learning the place. I had a really enjoyable dice with Adrian in the 600, and was happy with second, so I felt in good shape when the main race came to the line. I just got my head down from the start and the race went perfectly, so it should put me in good stead for the remainder of the season. The bikes are working well and I’m feeling confident going into this week’s Ulster Grand Prix. It’s not going to be easy, but I’ll be looking for a podium at least.”

There’s no rest for Guy, as practice for the Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week gets underway this Wednesday, with the Dundrod 150 races taking place on Thursday and the Ulster GP on Saturday.