Bruce Anstey and Ian Hutchinson fought tooth and nail to make the winner’s podium in this tight RST Superbike Race which kick-started the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races.

Hutchinson who hadn’t taken the TT podium in five years, led the race with New Zealander, Anstey, and James Hillier in close contention.

The trio fought it out over the next several laps, with the lead switching several times. By the start of lap five, Anstey was firmly in his stride having reeled Hutchinson in after a nail-biting couple of laps, but only 0.2 seconds separated the pair as they contended for top spot.

A number of riders crashed out in the latter stage of the race, which saw pre-race favourite Michael Dunlop fall at the last hurdle and the issuing of the red flag, with only the top six riders completing the full race distance.

The final winner swept to a hugely popular victory, claiming his 10th TT win, and his first in the Superbike class.