Steve, from Woodhall Spa near Lincoln, was out on the Optoma Loans Yamaha R6 for the four-lap Junior TT and started from 31st place moving straight up to 15th on the first lap of the 37.73-mile mountain road course.

Lap two saw Steve gain further places to return to the pits for refuelling in 13th position. The pit crew pulled out all the stops to get Steve back on the road having refuelled and cleaned the screen in double quick time.




On passing the grandstand to start his last lap Steve was lying in 10th place and put in his fastest lap of the race on the final circuit being fourth fastest rider through the speed trap at Sulby with a time of 165.300mph. He was running at the same pace and alongside Scottish rider Keith Amor who like Steve is a newcomer to the TT course. Throughout the final lap the pair were embroiled in a tremendous battle on the road, although Steve was running well ahead on time.

As they crossed the finish line more or less together Steve was delighted to find he had secured eighth place and a silver replica as well as posting his fastest lap of the race with a scorching time of 18m 25.74 seconds – 122.84mph.

“That’s better, much better than 15th on the Superstock bike yesterday. I was having a bit of fun with Keith Amor on that last lap and it was brilliant, really enjoyable.

“I was pushing a bit harder on the first lap this time, I was a bit annoyed at myself in the Superbike race as I wasn’t too comfy on the bike and didn’t really try to hard on the first lap. But I set my stall out right from the start this time and it paid off. I am well happy with this result, its another top ten and I am really happy for the Optoma Yamaha team and the pit crew who did another fantastic job for me.”

Steve rode to a strong 15th place in the Superstock race on Tuesday to finish as second fastest newcomer behind fellow county rider Gary Johnson.

At the end of the first lap Steve was placed at 23rd but made up time during the second lap and was 16th fastest rider when he came in for a fuel stop. He had clocked up the fifth fastest speed through the Sulby speed trap with a flyer at 177.1mph and made it up to 15th on the final lap.

“I am happy with that result,” said Steve. “I now have another silver trophy to add to the one I picked up last night for the Superbike race. As a newcomer to the Island races I didn’t expect too much but I have exceeded my expectations so far and improved my lap times with each passing lap in this race today.”

After three of his four races on the island Steve has picked up a silver trophy each time and will be looking to add to his haul of silverware with another good result from the final race of the week, the blue ribbon Senior TT to be run over six laps of the TT course on Friday with a scheduled start time of 10.45am.