QUOTE: Its a pity he's not going to be there, the entry is weaker because of it.
Last year he only had the Padgetts superstock bike and as luck would have it the only race he was taking part in was wet. Not his conditions, he's old and wise enough not to risk his neck trying to win a few quid and personally I applaud him for that. We see all too often how unforgiving the roads can be.
He took a lot of flak about his appearance money last year, yeah it made him look bad but the amount wasn't a fortune and he had incurred expense spending the best part of a week at Dundrod.
As to his ability around Dundrod, he was the outright lap record holder until last year, he's still winning NW200s, still on the pace in Superbike TTs and outright lap record holder, goes without saying then that if its dry he's more than capable of winning at the UGP.
he had the stocker and a 600,good enough bikes!
for the job
John McGuiness's absence will be disappointing for the majority of fans at the UGP. He is a TT GENIUS and his presence at any event is a huge attraction for many, myself included. (Even worse this year as Conor Cummins wont be there either).
I think some riders (including JMcG) come in for some unfair criticism regarding start money. Professional motorcyclists have bills to pay too. Would anyone in this forum turn up at their place of work for free??
Also people (including some here) often make up the biggest load of rubbish about riders' start money requests. The actual amounts are usually quite modest.
Having said that, I don't think it will change any of the results as I can forsee a day of Hutchy/Farquhar battles, with MD and Amor possibly in the mix.
Anyone know for certain if Guy Martin will be there?
Tullyhubbert, I'm not sure how on one hand you say that John McGuiness will be missed at the UGP and yet the Mid Antrim wouldn't have missed Farquhar...
Royboy get your points understand your point of view from last year but still stick by saying that john mac deserves at least a moderate amount of start money after what he had achieved in his career , I think he deserves some good start money when he enters meetings like this.
QUOTE: Tullyhubbert, I'm not sure how on one hand you say that John McGuiness will be missed at the UGP and yet the Mid Antrim wouldn't have missed Farquhar...
Good point ...
The short answer is I like John McGuinness
(I'll give a better reason later, I'm off for a while)
QUOTE: Reckon Hutchy probably favourite for the big bike races. Also reckon Michael Dunlop and William Dunlop should have a good ulster grand prix as well.
Michael might be a handful for Hutchy if he is on the TAS bike.
