MELLOR Brook sidecar driver John Holden has the honour of wearing No.1 at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy this year – but admits dishonour could be the key to him finally ending on top, writes Charlie Talbot.

Holden is no stranger to the infamous 37.73-mile Mountain Course and will head into this year’s TT races with the weight of 31 previous competitive outings under his belt.

He, along with Andy Winkle, who is once again accompanying him this year, came closest yet to breaking his win drought 12 months ago, finishing an agonising second for the fourth time in his TT career.

After failing to complete Sure Sidecar race one, Holden was running in first in race two only to slip down to second after admitting to holding back as proceedings drew to a close.

Holden, who competes tomorrow, concedes the root of that problem is down to giving the TT too much respect – something that has to change.

“You can win big at the TT and if you do well you could come away with £20,000 which isn’t bad for a couple of hours work,” said Holden.

“And the TT is something special and that is probably one of my problems – it is too special to me and I treat as too special.

“So I think I have to try to not treat it in such high esteem, which is hard because when you get on the start line you feel all the hype and the cameras and the helicopters circulating.

“And it is a privilege to be number one, I see it as an honour, and but in some ways it might bring about added pressure.

“I was number two last year and I have been three, four, five, six, seven all before, but number one is something else and when I was offered it I took it straight away.

“I don’t need someone in front of me to go quick and I won’t have to catch someone up who may be struggling so that might help.”

Holden and Winkle have already tasted victory together this year at the second round of the British FII Sidecar Championship at Cadwell Park at the beginning of May.

They will come up against the majority of the British sidecar paddock on the Isle of Man.

“I think the races at the TT are set to be closer this year than they were last year,” he added.

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