Ballymoney's Adrian Archibald claims first TT victory

Ulsterman Adrian Archibald took the honours in the Isle of Man Formula One TT race around the 37.73 mile circuit on Saturday.

Dromore-based Welshman Ian Lougher was second with John McGuinness grabbing third despite gear-box problems.

It was an emotional success for Archibald who dedicated the victory to his fellow TAZ Suzuki team-mate David Jefferies who was killed in an accident during practice on Thursday.

The Suzuki team were prepared to pull out of the race, but following talks with the Jefferies' family, a decision was made to race.

Archibald was favourite to top the podium for the first time, but he took a lap to get his machine warmed up.

''It was marvellous to get my first TT victory,'' said Archibald. But most of all I wanted to win for David and the Jefferies family.

''I was very nervous at the start, and it took me a lap to settle in. But once I warmed up, the machine went brilliantly.''

Refuelling

Initially it was McGuinness on his Ducati who had a four-second advantage over Lougher at the end of the opening lap with Archibald third.

But at the start of the second circuit McGuinness initially stretched out his lead while Archibald, leader on the road, made his move to overtake Lougher into second spot on time.

At the end of the second lap as the riders came in for refuelling, it was Archibald who had taken control to cut out a seven-second lead from McGuinness who had to change a shredded rear tyre. Lougher was still all alone in third.

McGuinness lost time and dropped down to third place

At the half-way mark, the Ballymoney rider was sitting nine seconds ahead of McGuinness.

Lougher was holding third place, 27 seconds in arrears with local rider Jason Griffiths a further 38 seconds back in fourth.

Guinness, however, came into the pits at the end of the fifth lap and although he restarted, Lougher charged through into second place.

It left Archibald with a comfortable run-in with no pressure as he eased the big Suzuki home to take the victory laurels.

Lougher was runner-up 74 seconds behind with McGuinness heading off Griffiths to complete the podium a further minute behind.