JOHN Holden achieved a lifetime’s ambition and won his first Isle of Man TT when he took victory in this afternoon’s second sidecar race with passenger Andy Winkle.

Five times a runner up, Holden finally made it to the top of the TT podium when a race-long battle with Monday’s sidecar winner Klaus Klaffenbock came to an end on the final 10 miles of the last lap. 

Klaffy and Sayle had been leading and recorded the fastest lap of the race on their second circuit, but the drama on the final lap put paid to their chances of another TT double.

Holden said at the finish, “It’s taken us long enough but we’re here...I saw Klaffy was slowing down and Dan waved us past. I’ve no idea what happened to him.”

“We have a brilliant team but there’s one man I really need to thank and that’s Winky.”

Winkle added, “We came round the Creg and the crowd were waving and I started to realise we were on the way...it’s amazing.”

Second place went to Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott, 37 seconds behind. For Aylott, it was yet another finish in a TT race, maintaining his remarkable record of never retiring in a TT race.

Third place was claimed by a delighted Tony Elmer and Darren Marshal, who finished 5th in Saturday’s race, a further 25 seconds behind.

OFFICIAL RESULT:

1)  John Holden / Andy Winkle (600 Holden Suzuki) 59-59.1 (113469mph)

2)  Conrad Harrison / Mike Aylott (600 Shelbourne Honda) 1-00-36.23 (112.062mph)

3)  Tony Elmer / Darren Marshal (600 Ireson Honda)  1-01.02 (111.212mph)

4)  Tim Reeves / Greg Cluse (600 Mr Equipe Honda)

5)  Ben Birchall / Tony Birchall (600 LCR Honda)

6)  Klaus Klaffenbock / Dan Sayle (600 LCR Honda)

7)  Gary Bryan/ Jamie Partridge (600 Baker Honda)

8)  Dougie Wright / Martin Hull (600 Baker Honda)

9)  Rob Handcock / Ken Edwards (600 Shelbourne Honda)

10)  Carl Fenwick / Mark Sayers (600 Shelbourne Honda)

Fastest lap: Klaffenbock / Sayle 114.672mph (lap 2)