• Dainese Superbike win is veteran's 15th triumph
• Still short of Dunlop's record of 26 victories

John McGuinness established himself as the second most successful Isle of Man Tourist Trophy rider of all time with victory in the Dainese Superbike race.

The TT veteran was neck and neck with Mike Hailwood on 14 wins going into the opening race on the Isle of Man but a flawless ride saw the HM Plant Honda move to 15 and second outright. He remains in the shadow of the late Joey Dunlop, however, who is the island record holder with 26 triumphs.

McGuinness's team-mate Steve Plater, winner of last year's Supersport race, claimed second – 18.55 seconds behind McGuinness with the Hydrex Honda rider Guy Martin in third.

Gary Johnson led the field away but McGuinness flew out of the blocks to quickly take the lead and on lap two broke the TT lap record with 130.442mph.

The Morecambe rider received an early boost when key challenger Bruce Anstey — second in last year's race — failed to make it beyond the first lap.

A flying pit stop after lap two saw Plater leap into second place ahead of Martin in third but there was no catching McGuinness. The 37-year-old breezed through his second pit stop after lap four and continued to stretch his lead from Plater on the last two laps, eventually winning by 18.55 seconds.