The opening of the Isle of Man TT has been up and down to say the least – there’s been no end of problems and bad weather delaying the action from really getting going. We enjoy watching a practice lap as much as anyone, but we’ve just been eager to get stuck in to the action!

The afternoon’s superstock race was delayed until Tuesday, but the supersport event finally got under way at 6:30pm. Gary Johnson’s Yamaha R6 roared out of the gate to take an early lead, with Ian Hutchinson, Dean Harrison and Sunday’s superbike winner Bruce Antsey close behind.

Hutchinson had fought his way in to the lead by the end of the first lap, finding himself even further ahead after second-place Harrison was forced to retire from the race. Antsey stole second with Johnson clashing with Guy Martin for the hotly-contested final podium spot.

In the end it was to be Hutchinson’s day – the 35-year-old took his first TT win in five years. It’s been a long road for the Brit rider – just months after cleaning up at the TT in 2010, he nearly lost a foot in an accident in Silverstone, so it was an amazing moment to see him back up on the winner’s podium!

Antsey took second place, putting him and Hutchinson neck and neck in terms of finishes so far – we’re sure the competition between them will be fierce for the rest of the week.

Johnson ended the day in third place – in another echo of 2010, Martin received a 30-second penalty that knocked him off the podium in the exact same fashion in which he lost second place five years ago. Martin ended up in fifth, with Lee Johnston taking fourth.

Although we only got one race instead of two, it was still a cracking day at the TT – big congratulations to Ian for finding himself back on form!