Hutchy has not had the best of luck this week but turned the corner on Wednesday when he claimed the runner up spot for the team in Wednesday’s Junior TT. He then went out in practice for the Senior TT, was happy with the bike and looking forward to Friday’s big race confident he could record a strong finish.

As the Senior TT got underway Hutchy settled into fifth place until lap three when he moved up the order to third. He held station throughout the remaining four laps to cross the finish line and claim the final podium position of third for the second year in succession.

IAN HUTCHINSON
I have to be happy with this result, obviously it would have been nice to get the win but a podium is the next best thing and I am pleased to have finished two races this week up there. The team have worked really hard this last month as we had the North West 200 to contend with as well. To keep focussed and stuck in is really difficult and the guys deserve a reward for their hard work.

Meanwhile Steve Plater rode well in his final outing of the Isle of Man TT races to round off his week with a fine fifth place in the Senior TT.

The 36-year-old Woodhall Spa ace has gone well throughout his time on the Island and after riding to 10th place in the opening race of the week, the Dainese Superbike TT, he went on to take his debut win in the first Junior TT on Monday.

Throughout the race, Plater was running in a comfortable sixth place, his times improving with every lap of the 37.73-mile course. He recorded his fastest lap of the week on lap two of Friday’s race at 127.065mph and was clocked as third fastest rider through the speed trap at Sulby on lap five at 190.1mph.

On the last lap Plater began to reel in Gary Johnson on time and as they swept over the Mountain and down to the finish line had done enough to take the fifth place.

Plater started 10th but Johnson was 16th, some way behind so the timekeepers had to wait for him to cross the finish line before slotting Plater into fifth position.

STEVE PLATER
It’s a lot better result for me today than last Saturday when I was laid down here in Parc Ferme trying to get my breath back after being so tired at the end of the Superbike race. Although the bike was still not running right it’s quite a lot better and I am happy with fifth today. All in all the races have gone well for me, especially on Monday when I won the Junior TT. That was a dream result for me.

With three podium finishes – a win, second and third place – plus a fifth, its been a productive week for AIM Yamaha and a big thank you is due to all the pit crew who have done a tremendous job keeping the two riders out on track in order to bring these results back to the team.