The journey back to the NW200 podium for McGuinness

John McGuinness celebrates his podium finish in Superstock race two at the 2024 NW200

"I never thought I would feel that feeling again."

When John McGuinness climbed on to the North West 200 podium last year, memories of tougher times were in his head.

In 2017, a huge crash left the English rider with four broken vertebrae and eight ribs, as well as a fractured leg.

And a long road to recovery.

The prospect of racing again, never mind standing on the podium, was as he says himself, "unexpected".

"Unexpected for me, unexpected for the crowd. The sun was shining, massive crowds, the racing was stunning all day and the podium was the icing on the cake for sure," reflected McGuinness in an interview with BBC Sport NI.

"Hicky [Peter Hickman] was there [in the winners' enclosure], who is an old sparring partner of mine and Toddy [Davey Todd] was there and I think he had a bit of a retake.

"I think he was super-shocked that I was in the winners' enclosure but it's something I'll never ever forget."

After the crash during practice seven years ago, it appeared possible that the 23-time Isle of Man TT winner's career was over but McGuinness has battled his way back to fitness and is still contending for top-six finishes at the North West 200 and TT.

A third place finish in the second Superstock race at the North West in 2024 and the reception the now 53-year-old received made the six-time winner on the Triangle circuit's comeback achievement even more special and emotional.

"To experience the cheer it gave me goosebumps and for me I never thought I would feel that feeling again. So it was super special – my daughter was there, she had never been to the North West.

"I was told I got a bigger cheer than Glenn [Irwin, who won three Superbike races 12 months ago]. I wanted to ride up to the grandstand and throw my boots in the crowd.

"I've always loved it [the NW200] even though it nearly finished me off in 2017 and I've come back to being half competitive again."

'I didn't want it to finish like that'

Another North West 200 podium appeared an unlikely prospect in 2017 as the Morecambe rider lay stricken on a golf course adjacent to the public roads circuit after his high-speed incident.

"When I went through the fence in 2017 and I'm lying on a golf course, I'm not a golf fan, so I didn't want to end my career on a golf course, I was determined to come back and do a decent job.

"There was a lot of damage and obviously a long time with the leg rehab. When you're injured, there's nobody there for you at two or three o'clock in the morning when you're suffering but you've just got to roll your sleeves up.

"When I was laid on my back in the Belfast hospital I told the missus that was me done but when the pain starts going away I'm thinking, 'I might have another go'.

"I didn't want it to finish like that, it would have been a bad way to finish my racing journey through an injury. I want to finish on my terms, when I stop enjoying it."

McGuinness made his NW200 debut in 1994, two years before his bow at the IOM TT, and he is in his 35th season of racing and making his 31st appearance at 'the Triangle'.

"That passion and enthusiasm is still simmering away. Everyone is getting faster but I'm holding my own.

"I went faster at the North West last year, at the TT I was fastest I've ever been on a Superstock bike. I'm happy just to do what I do, Honda are happy with what I do. My roll at Honda is changing slightly, more of an ambassador role for me.

"If I can't warrant the factory Honda ride and some of the other kids knock me off my stool then I'll gladly pass the baton over to the other kids."

John McGuinness on the Honda Fireblade he rode to third place in Superstock race two at last year's North West 200

'I love riding round the place'

Despite being at the latter end of his career, McGuinness is determined to continue on track until the warning signs indicate he should do otherwise.

"When you ride those big bikes, if you're in control of them, and you feel ok and confident, I'll carry on, but if there comes a point where they're a handful, you maybe start making mistakes, then it's time to stop.

"In 2022 I came back and I wasn't sharp enough, a little bit behind the ball, but I put a lot of effort in last year, went testing in Spain a few times, was going ok in the British Championship, got my sleeves rolled up a little bit and got stuck in."

The Lancashire rider reflects that the misfortune of other riders may have played a part in his memorable third-place finish in the Superstocks but takes pride in his performances at the meeting over the years, including six race victories.

"Michael [Dunlop] didn't do the warm-up lap so he didn't get on the grid, Dean [Harrison]'s oil filler cap came out, James [Hillier] went up the slip road, I had him under pressure a bit.

"I've been fortunate to win a few races and been on the podium for a lot of races at the North West, often in the hunt for a win, often in the mix, but six wins it's still an amazing achievement.

"I just love riding round the place. It's a hard place, it's a fast place, a physical place, but I just concentrate on what I'm doing and enjoy the whole experience."