TT 2016: Official: Anstey to race RCV in Superbike race

Bruce Anstey WILL race the exotic Honda RC213V-S in today’s opening Superbike TT.

The call wasn’t made until late last night when the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts team pushed the New Zealander for a decision so they could prep whichever race bike he chose. After a little while thinking, he instructed Clive Padgett to prepare the £138,000 RCV for race action.

The Flying Kiwi has been riding the Grand Prix replica back-to-back with his Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR Superbike throughout practice and recorded a fastest lap of 128.976mph aboard the RCV in Tuesday’s practice.

However, he is riding battered and bruised after a fall on the mountain section on Thursday evening. The team re-built the crashed CBR1000RR but it will take to the sidelines for today’s race as Anstey sets off down Glencrutchery Road on the 220bhp V4 beast.

“We had to push him for a decision as we needed to prep the bike!” Clive Padgett told MCN this morning. “I think it’s what the Island want to see, the people want to see and hear and RCV racing around here so that’s what we’re going to give them.”