Ian Hutchinson believes his tentative return to Isle of Man Tourist Trophy racing last week has left him well placed to get back on the podium in the near future.

The Bingley racer’s return to racing on the island in 2012 was only ever going to be a soft launch after two years – and two horrific leg breaks – saw him very nearly have to quit the sport altogether.

As a result for a man who made TT, fuelled by Monster Energy, history in 2010 by winning all five races in a week, this year’s experience was somewhat painful, and not just because of his continuing recovery from injury.

The 32-year-old could only watch as arch-rival John McGuinness moved to 19 all-time TT wins with victory in the Dainese Superbike and Royal London 360 Superstock races.

Hutchinson is still marooned on eight wins. However, he’s adamant there is much to be positive about after a return to action which saw steady improvement throughout the week.

The Bingley ace still managed to finish eighth in the overall Joey Dunlop TT Championship Trophy and only finished outside the top ten once throughout the week – with a best of sixth place in the Monster Energy Supersport race two.

There was slight disappointment when Hutchinson was unable to show just how much he’d improved in the week’s finale and blue riband race – the PokerStars Senior TT – but that wasn’t going to damped the Bingley ace’s spirits.

“We’ve needed every lap we could get round here and we’ve been learning all week and I was really looking forward to yesterday, but on safety grounds there’s nothing that can be done. I’m not going to argue with the decision,” said Hutchinson.

“We’ve learnt a lot to come back strong next year, and that’s what we’ll do.

“The clerk has been tremendous. He’s kept us informed throughout the racing and the decisions he’s made have been brilliant, so what else can we say?

“One more step along the way - it’s better than not being here and we’ve done what we needed to do. We’ll come back here in a position to win races hopefully. We’re on the road to do that. We’ve learnt a lot.

“I don’t know what’s next for me. I need some more work on my leg. I still need some more operations - it’s not fully right yet, I don’t know exactly what I need but I’ll get more information in the coming weeks.”

While Hutchinson was finding his feet again on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, Bradford ace Dean Harrison continued his meteoric rise on the island in Saturday’s Lightweight TT.

With the Senior race cancelled, Harrison made sure he rounded out a memorable week in style with a 12th- placed finish – his third top 15, including one ninth-placed ride - of a hugely-impressive week in just his second TT.

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