Honda TT Legends begin road race campaign at NW200
The Honda TT Legends 2013 road racing campaign begins this week with the North West 200. The team has arrived in Northern Ireland with its new three-rider line-up of John McGuinness, Michael Rutter and Michael Dunlopall of whom will compete in the Superbike class aboard the Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Fireblade.Its 20 years since McGuinnesss NW200 debut and he has since clocked up six wins around the 8.9 mile courseincluding a Superbike victory with the TT Legends in 2012. New signing Rutter first competed in the event in 1992 and has achieved nine of his 13 NW200 wins in the Superbike class. Both will be looking to increase their tally at the 2013 event. The veterans will be joined in their quest for victory by Honda TT Legends other new recruit Michael Dunlop. The one-time North West winner got off to a great start on his road racing debut for the team by topping the timesheet in todays first Superbike practice session. Rutter placed seventh while McGuinness was ninth fastest.To watch a preview interview with John McGuinness click here or on the image to the right. Neil Tuxworthteam manager Were very happy to be at the North West 200 with one of our strongest ever line-ups. Not only are we running three riders in the Superbike class, but they are three of the very top riders in road racing. McGuinness and Rutter have multiple NW200 wins between them and they know this race very well, while Dunlop is without a doubt the rising star with a great future ahead of him. All three are capable of getting on the podium and winning races, so were looking forward to seeing what the event holds.John McGuinness This is my 20th year at the North West 200 and Im feeling really positive. I know the drill, I know the bike, Ive got all my usual crew around me and Im looking forward to it. We tested at Castle Combe a couple of weeks ago and managed to fit in plenty of laps and get a good set up on the bike so were ready to go. Im keeping my fingers crossed for decent weather on race day but everything is in place for a good result. It should be a interesting battle with me and the two Michaels all on the same team. A 1-2-3 TT Legends podium is not impossible and as long as Im on the middle step Ill be happy with that!Michael Rutter Its good to be back at the North West and of course it would be nice to get another win, but its one of those places that you just never know what is going to happen until race day. Were pretty well prepared after the test at Castle Combe and Im looking forward to it. Weve got a strong line-up and were aiming for the podium. Obviously John did a great job here last year and Michael Dunlop is definitely going to be one to watch out for toohes flying. Lets see what happens when we all get on the bike.Michael Dunlop Im looking forward to the first road racing event with the TT Legends. The two-day test we did at Castle Combe ended well. I got a lot of miles in and did some good work with my mechanics to get the bike ready for the North West. Im not really feeling any extra pressure other than that I put on myself. Ive just got to do what I do and ride as hard as I can and hopefully well get the results.