LANCASTRIAN hero John McGuinness has expressed his delight at adding two more victories to his Isle of Man TT tally after claiming the spoils in the Senior TT.

The Honda TT Legends rider – already second on the all-time winners’ list heading into this year’s event – got his week off to a perfect start by claiming the Superbike win aboard his CBR1000RR.

Though he missed out on wins in the Supersport and Superstock categories, McGuinness was in superb form during the Senior TT, recovering from a slow start to hunt down and overtake Guy Martin to win for the 17th time.

“I can’t remember being pushed that hard in a Superbike race here for some time and I certainly had to work for it. I didn’t have the greatest of practice laps as I picked up a rear wheel puncture so it took me a lap or so to get dialled in to the race.

“I made the odd mistake here and there and went wide on a couple of occasions but by lap two I was beginning to get in the groove a bit which was a good job as I was quite a way adrift and really had to dig deep.

“The first pit stop was mega and I pushed really hard on laps 3 and 3 and that was where I won the race. It gave me that bit of breathing space I needed. The second pit stop gave me a bit more time over Guy and over the last two laps I didn’t let him get anywhere near me.”

Notching up his 33rd podium and 51st finish, 39-year-old McGuinness gave no indication that he will stop here, insisting he is riding better than ever.

To win my second Superbike race this week is superb and things couldn’t really have gone any better for me at TT2011. I’m really enjoying my riding at the minute and I don’t think I’ve ever ridden better.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been given some terrific equipment this year and I’ve just got to say thank you to everyone that’s involved with John McGuinness Racing. This has been my 17th TT win, my 33rd podium and my 51st finish and I’m dead, dead proud of what I’ve achieved this week.”

Joey Dunlop holds the all-time winners’ record on the TT with 26 wins.