MOTORBIKING grandmaster Dougie Lampkin has successfully wheelied around the Isle of Man TT course, keeping up on his back wheel for 37.7 miles and defeating strong winds.

The 12 times World Trials champion from Silsden was forced to postpone his unique challenge, which was scheduled for Saturday, due to 55 mile per hour gusts.

But the 40-year-old star set off at 5pm on Sunday in bright sunshine and nailed the Snaefell mountain circuit in one hour 35 minutes despite windy conditions and becoming e the first person to successfully complete the legendary course on just one wheel.

Mr Lampkin set off from the famous Grandstand start line perhaps a a little too fast and had a struggle to settle his specialist bike over the first few miles.

And the infamous mountain section made for tense viewing on live footage broadcast by Red Bull TV as Dougie fought gusts of 40mph.

Speaking after crossing the finishing line, Dougie commented on just how tough the attempt was: “Up to ten times I came close to dropping and I thought I’d lost it twice. “When you’ve lost your balance and your right leg comes off, you’re in massive trouble.

“I couldn’t rely on the rear brake at that speed.”

Cheered on by crowds along the course, Dougie punched the air in delight as he crossed the line and then cracked open the champagne.

Summing up the incredible effort after months of gruelling training and modifications to his Factory Vertigo trial bike, Dougie said: “I feel absolute massive relief. The build up to it, seven months of planning, everything that’s gone on like the nightmare with the weather and still strong winds on top of the mountain.

“I was just hanging on really. It wasn’t over until a couple of metres from the end but that last couple of metres was just amazing.”

His bike had a larger petrol tank, special pegs and a small electric motor to keep the front wheel spinning as a gyroscopic aid.

This was the first live broadcast of a sporting event from the Isle of Man which is famous for ground-breaking motorsports records.

Viewers could also attempt their own virtual wheelie on a specially created mobile game at dougie.redbull.tv during the broadcast.

To watch Mr Lampkin in action go to Red Bull TV online, which features the full background to his amazing ride.