Guy Martin is OUT of the Southern 100

It’s not much of a surprise, but Guy Martin is now not taking part in the Southern 100 next week – a message from the event organisers is citing the Honda Fireblade as the reason for the withdrawal saying that Martin’s bike ‘was not available with further testing to be carried out’.

The news is particularly annoying for Martin who has gone well at the Southern in the past, winning the Solo Championship race three years in a row from 2013 to 2015.

It’s another blow to what has been a particularly frustrating summer for the Lincolnshire-based rider. He withdrew from both the Superbike and Superstock races at the North West 200 in May after team-mate John McGuinness crashed at Primrose during qualifying. Martin then withdrew from a host of races at the TT weeks later following issues with the Fireblade.

He did race in the TT Zero event for Mugen Honda but could manage a best of second to rapidly-drafted in team-mate Bruce Anstey who took up the ride as replacement to McGuinness who was forced out of the event with multiple injuries after his North West spill.

Martin eventually finished seventh in last week’s Spa Four Hour classic endurance event when he rode the Katana 1100 for Suzuki at the Belgian circuit.