McGuinness reveals near-miss with 'ferret' at TT

For the first time in more than 10 years, the Isle of Man TT's most successful current rider John McGuinness left the two-week festival without a single podium finish.

He admitted he was 'gutted' and described some of the races as 'disasters'. The Morecambe star also revealed how his disappointing TT almost suffered another blow when he came within inches of hitting a ferret-like creature on the course!

After fighting for the lead in the original race, which was red flagged following Guy Martin's crash, McGuinness retired on the second lap of the restarted Senior TT on Friday, coasting to a halt at Glen Helen with a fault in the kill switch. In a twist of cruel irony his HM Plant Honda teammate was forced to retire on he final lap with mechanical problems, and coasted to a halt at the same point.

Speaking afterwards, McGuinness said:

"I had no clue what had happened as the bike was running perfectly in the three laps before the red flag and also at the start of the re-started race and I was really settled into things. I did feel a bit like a track sweeper though when I got past Bruce (Anstey) as there were loads of leaves and stuff on the course."

"But, as I got to the first left hander near the commentary box at Glen Helen the bike cut out. I was pressing, prodding, poking, tugging and pushing buttons, wires and all sorts trying frantically to get the bike to restart, but it was to no avail and I had to park up."

"The HM Plant Honda boys have worked so hard and gave me a great bike so I'm just as gutted for them as well as for myself. I was enjoying it because conditions were lovely and it just feels as if a 10p wire has snapped on the bike and there is nothing we can do about that. That's the TT for you!"

"I don't know what's gone wrong this year, but I haven't had any luck at all. The Formula One race (Superbike) was a disaster and then a disaster in this one. That's the last three Superbike races here that I have ended up parked up on the banking and frustratingly through no fault of my own."

"I also had a near miss before the race was red flagged when a ferret or something similar ran across the road in front of me, but luckily I missed it."

"I'm gutted to have not been on the podium as it's the first time I've not been in over 10 years. But there's nothing we can do about it and now just need to write it off and come back stronger next year."