GUY Martin reflected on his most enjoyable Isle of Man TT week to date and admitted "I scratched my spuds off in search of victory."
Kirmington's motorcycle road racing star was unable to add to his 13 podium finishes at the event earlier this month.
And that first ever race triumph remains as elusive as ever after nine visits to the island.
But rather than thinking 'what might have been' after a frustrating week, the Tyco Suzuki rider was happy with both his – and his team's – efforts.
"I've never enjoyed a TT as much in my career and that's saying something," said Martin.
"Having Stewart Johnstone (crew chief) there was a big plus and I really enjoyed working with Josh Brookes. What a boy to do 127mph as a newcomer and I believe he'd have gone faster on the Friday.
"I couldn't fault the team one little bit.
"For me they are the best team in the paddock and they all want to win races.
"Everyone gives their all, and as long as we all come away giving 100 per cent we have to be happy.
"Yes we use a little more fuel than the others and that makes our pit stops that little bit longer, but big credit to Metzeler.
"I don't go blowing smoke… but those guys did everything I asked of them and it was a job well done.
"I'm a Tyco Suzuki man, so I hope we can come back and do it all again next year."
The 31-year-old narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the opening Superbike TT, eventually finishing fourth, with a standing start opening lap of 130.431mph.
The first Supersport encounter, two days later, produced a sixth place and best lap of 126.709mph.
In the second Supersport race, Martin's GSX-R600 developed an intermittent electrical problem, but the speedster battled on, not wanting to retire the machine.
In the Superstock race, he was just five seconds off the lead at the end of lap one, registering a speed of 128.566mph from a standing start.
He entered his pit at the end of lap two for fuel following a lap of 129.361mph and was well within striking distance of race leader Gary Johnson – only to be penalised for a pit-lane infringement.
It wasn't to be Martin's day as he retired later in the lap with a technical problem.
In the blue riband Senior TT, the lorry mechanic and TV personality finished fifth.
Lap and race records were surpassed in blistering conditions and Martin was one of six riders who lapped in excess of 130mph on the opening lap of six.
On the second lap, whilst holding third place, he put in a 131.094mph, only bettered by eventual race winner John McGuinness.
He posted yet another lap of 130.188mph on lap four and a final lap of 129.862mph.
He added: "If I'm honest, fifth meant nothing to me, I was that disappointed after the Senior TT – I might as well have finished 25th.
"I have to hold my hands up but I did give 100 per cent. I scratched my spuds off in that race and wore the end of my boots off.
"The Superstock job was good. I was pushing hard and went that little bit extra, but got a pit-lane speedy penalty; then we had to park the thing. But there was a podium there for us, maybe even a win.
"I just want to go riding again now, so the Southern 100 can't come quick enough and I'll be talking to Philip Neill (team manager) about another project we discussed."
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