Anstey makes surprise return
Kiwi motorcycling legend and cancer survivor Bruce Anstey left the road racing world in disbelief with a staggering return to the iconic Isle of Man circuit.
Anstey, who has claimed 12 Isle of Man TT wins, spent two years away from competitive riding as he fought his battle with cancer.
The Wellingtonian missed the recent Isle of Man TT – as he did the 2018 edition – but has made it back for this week’s Classic TT that runs through until August 26.
In his first competitive event in 24 months, Anstey – quite incredibly – set the fastest time in practice in the lightweight class.
The 50-year-old produced a lap of 116.28mph (187.13kmh) on his Padgett’s Honda, leaving him clear of the second-fastest rider, Dean Harrison, with a 114.28mph lap on Tuesday.
Anstey was denied a chance to continue his good form when qualifying was washed out yesterday.
He took a break from the sport in 2017 due to a cancer diagnosis when it was confirmed he had ‘‘multiple tumours in his lungs and a tumour on his spine’’.
The Kiwi rider has clinched three Classic TT triumphs in addition to his 12 Isle of Man TT wins.
One of New Zealand’s most successful road riders of all time, Anstey is a much bigger name in the northern hemisphere – where the sport has a much larger following – than his native New Zealand.
A Gofundme page set up to help get Anstey to the Classic TT has raised £8590 (NZ$16,292).
The page was started by awardwinning journalist and TT competitor Adam Child.
‘‘I’ve been around road racing for nearly 20 years, and I’ve still yet to hear one bad word against Bruce, he’s loved by everyone, fellow racers, team owners, fellow competitors, everyone,’’ Child wrote on the fundraising page.
‘‘This is why when Bruce announced he was fighting cancer again in 2018 and would be missing the TT, hearts sank.’’