Hutchinson wins opening race of Isle of Man TT

Ian Hutchinson saw off a late challenge from Peter Hickman to win the RST Superbike race at the 2017 Isle of Man TT.

Harrison (BMW) had reduced Hutchinson’s (BMW) lead to 1.6s during last of six laps, but Hutchinson responded to take victory by 5.1s, his 15th win at the Isle of Man TT.

James Hillier (Kawasaki) held the initial race lead before Harrison and then Michael Dunlop (Suzuki) took over by the end of Lap 1, with Hickman back in fifth.

Harrison and Hillier ran first and second into the pit stops at the end of Lap 2 as Dunlop retired at Handley’s, with Hickman and Hutchinson following in third and fourth.

Harrison continued to lead through Lap 3 before Hutchinson passed him, and the two traded positions a number of times before the latter began to pull clear on Lap 4.

By this time, Hickman ran in second position, 4s adrift of Hutchinson and 1.6s clear of Harrison.

Hutchinson then exited the second set of pit stops with a 10s advantage over Hickman, before Hillier briefly moved back up to second position.

Hickman, however, would throw down the challenge to Hutchinson as he reduced the lead to 1.6s into the final run up and down the Mountain, but Hutchinson prevailed.

Harrison was third in the end and Hillier fourth.

Top 10: RST Superbikes, 2017 Isle of Man TT