Honda Racing’s John McGuinness has crashed at Primrose corner during the Superbike practice session at the Vauxhall International North West 200 today. The 45 year old Morecambe rider, who is a six times winner at the event, has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by ambulance with a suspected broken leg.

John McGuinness is the second most successful TT rider of all time next to the late Joey Dunlop.
Although ostensibly a roads specialist, he’s also had considerable success on circuits. He was British 250 cc Champion in 1999, competed in World Supersport in 2002 and finished third in British Superstock in 2009.

During his career he has ridden all types of racing motorcycles including singles, in-line fours, V-twins and GP 500 2 strokes in all parts of the globe – from Daytona USA to Macau in the Far East.

His legendary status and place in the history books is already assured as one of the all time great TT racers. Debuting at the TT in 1996, he won the best newcomer award.

Three years later he landed his first TT win in the Lightweight 250 category and has now racked up 23 TT victories – only three behind the late Joey Dunlop’s outright tally.

In 2007 he became the first man to break through the 130 mph average barrier and then the 131 mph barrier (in an official race) – pushing it up to 131.578 mph in 2009.