BURY’S Rob Barber admitted that his first finish at this year’s Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, fuelled by Monster Energy, was a triumph of nurture over nature.

Barber completed the four laps of the 37.73mile mountain course at an average speed of 117.43mph, good enough for 17th overall in the first Monster Energy Supersport race of the week.

The Supersport race is run on the smaller 600cc bikes, traditionally a difficult event for the bigger men in the field who struggle to manoeuvre like their smaller rivals.

But Barber made it look all too easy as he stormed to his best-ever finish at a TT despite his physical hindrances.

“I’m pretty happy with how it went, it was my first real run out but I had a bit of a lonely race and I’m a big lad so it’s a bit of a struggle on the 600,” he said.

“I struggle down the straights but Robert Wilson came past me and I just let him pull me round them so it went well.

“I’ve got big shoulders and weigh 14 stone so it’s not ideal when you’re racing against people who are all about nine stone.

“A little 600 engine has a lot to carry, and they’re not as aerodynamic as the others. I’m really strong through the corners, so if someone can pull me down the straights then that’s good.

“The 600 has been all right all week, it’s never missed a beat.”

Barber’s Monday was not all sunshine and light however as he was unable to make the start line for the Royal London 360 Superstock race.

But despite that setback Barber was already looking forward to the rest of the week where he will be targeting yet more improvements.

“The remainder of the week should be fine, more finishes are what we are after, that would be fantastic,” he added.

“The big bike is fixed now, it was just a silly little problem on Saturday, it’s all sorted.

“If we’re in the top 20, it’s a bonus, you never know, you have to finish to be in it.”

The 2012 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy will be shown every evening, usually at 9pm, on ITV4 until June 11.

For more information on the event and for live Radio TT commentary and live timings as well as the full ITV4 schedule go to www.iomtt.com