Isle of Ma✱n TT legend John McGuinness says he “wouldn’t be sat here with the #1 plate on the Honda if I didn’t warrant the jobꦗ” and “I never think about retirement”.

The veteran racer turned 53🌸 this year but remai𝔉ns at the sharp end of proceedings on the international road racing scene.

For the Isle of Man TT’s big bike races, McGuinness will set off at #1 on the road and does so a year on from a top five finish 🐎in the Senior TT and a sixth in the Superbike race.

This year, McGuinness has set his fastest ever laps around Donington and Oulton♛ Park as part of his preparations for the 2025 racing season, while he cracked 🐻the top six in the Superbike class at last week’s North West 200.

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland at the North West 200, Mc💟Guinness stooꦅd by his decision to continue racing and the fact that he remains a works Honda rider with the #1 plate.

“It’s strange, isn't𒁃 it,” he began. “I thought by now I’d be꧂ going backwards but I still have the enthusiasm.

“I know I’m a bit heavy and that, but I still go out on my enduro bike, I still rideಞ, I feel bike fit, I still feel strong.

“I posted my best lap time at Donington, Oulton Parkඣ [recently]. Last year [at the North West 200] I was on the podium, the TT I was strong.

“So, I 😼wouldn’t be sat here with the number one plate on the Honda if I didn’t warrant the job.

“Once th🔥at I don’t, once there comes a point when these other guys🐠 are knocking on Honda’s door for my job I’ll roll over.

“But I’ll al🌟ways stay involved in the sport. I’ll maybe go onꦦ some smaller bikes, do some classic racing - I don’t know.

“But at 🦩the minute I never think about retirement, I just keep that concentration.

“I call it the ‘hamster wheel’: just keep that hamster wheel going, keep riding, keep enjoying it and then see wher🌊e it all leads us.”

McGuinness made his TT debut in 1996 a❀nd in 1997 stood on the podium🍎 for the first time, before taking a maiden win in 1999.

In total, he has won 23 times at the Isle of Man TT and is currently third all-time be🅘hind Joey Dunlop (26) ꧋and Michael Dunlop (29).

His last wins came in 2015, when he won the Zero TT and that ye💃ar’s Senior TT.