ANSTEY TAKES 19TH TT PODIUM

Team Suzuki Press Office - June 11.

Relentless Suzuki's Bruce Anstey enjoyed his first podium of TT 2009 in the Relentless Supersport Race 2 yesterday. The Kiwi finished second on his GSX-R600 machine, making it 19 career TT podiums.

The race was eventually started on the Mountain Course after a three-hour delay due to inclement weather conditions, but the battling Kiwi was always in the mix for honours.

Bruce Anstey:

"We finally got the gremlins sorted out and my GSX-R600 ran perfectly today. Michael Dunlop got us all on the first lap and that was it really. The conditions were difficult and it was hard to know how far you could push it out there. It did start to dry up as the race went on, and although I wanted the win, this is a pretty-strong second place after what we have been through this week."

Philip Neill - Team Principal:

"It's great to get the GSX-R Relentless Suzuki back on a TT podium, especially in a Relentless-sponsored race. Bruce and everyone in the team needed a result to lift our spirits after the bad luck we have suffered. Thankfully the little GSX-R600 never missed a beat. It has been tough trying to keep everyone's heads up, but everything is now in place for Friday's Senior TT. Bruce and the GSX-R1000 Superbike are both up to the job, and if Bruce can win it may even ease Cameron's pains a little!"

Injured Aussie Cameron Donald had set the TT alight only a week ago when he became the first man to break the magical 131mph barrier, but an incident at Keppel Gate the following evening forced him out of this year's TT Races, with shoulder and back injuries.

Tomorrow's Senior TT closes this year's action on the famous Mountain Course.