Guy Martin fourth in opening Isle of Man TT race

LINCOLNSHIRE racer Guy Martin just missed out on a podium place in his opening race of this year's Isle of Man TT.

The Kirmington speed demon came fourth in the six-lap Dainese Superbike race yesterday afternoon.

This year's TT curtain-raiser was won by Honda's Michael Dunlop in a total time of 1:45:29 – with an average speed of 128.747mph.

Cameron Donald was second in 1:46:10, which equated to an average speed of 127.920mph.

Next was TT legend John McGuinness (1:46:51/ 127.102mph)

Tyco Suzuki rider Martin was fourth in 1:46:58 (126.964mph).

Martin was second at the end of lap one, but had dropped to third by the end of the second lap.

He then dropped to fourth, but battled his way back to third again on the fifth lap.

However, a strong sixth lap from McGuinness earned him the final podium spot.