Bradford’s Conrad Harrison admits he couldn’t help but think what might have been after snatching second place in the Sure Sidecar 2 race at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy – but was still beaming from ear to ear after reaching the podium for the second time in a week.

Harrison and passenger Mike Aylott, who ride for Printing Roller Services, claimed third place in the first sidecar race of the week on Monday as victory went to Klaus Klaffenbock and Dan Sayle, while John Holden and Andrew Winkle came home second.

It appeared that podium would be mirrored today, until Klaffenbock and Sayle suffered bike troubles on the last lap, allowing Holden to take the victory and bumping Harrison up into second.

And while Harrison admits his last TT race of the week was far from flawless, he’s convinced he and Aylott can still leave the Isle of Man with their heads held high.

“We had a fair few problems in the race and I was thinking ‘what is going on?’,” said Harrison.

“We were having so many good sections and riding well and then a few different things went wrong and it kept setting us back. So to end up in second place is absolutely fantastic and we have to be really pleased.

“That is 32 TTs completed now, which is pretty good. Mike has done a really good job all week and you have to give him a lot of credit.

“He’s worked really hard in the gym and doesn’t drink and has just been fantastic all week.”

And while Harrison believes victory was within his grasp had he avoided the technical problems throughout the race, he admits there could not have been a more worthy winner in Holden, who had previously finished second on five occasions.

“Of course we’d like to have been where John Holden was standing but there couldn’t be a more deserved winner.

“It was great to see him up there after all the years he has been in the sport.”

* The 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy will be shown every evening at 9pm on ITV4 to June 12. For more information on the event and for live Radio TT commentary go to www.iomtt.com