RINGWOOD rider James Hillier insisted he "would never intentionally break" rules after being disqualified from the Superbike Classic TT.

Hillier finished third in yesterday's race on the Isle of Man but was among four of the top five finishers who saw their results wiped out – hours after they had been officially declared.

Organisers described the machines of Hillier, Greenall Racing colleague Horst Saiger, runner-up Dean Harrison (Sillicone Engineering) and Jamie Coward (Mistral Racing) as subject to "technical infringements".

All four riders were racing on ZXR 750 Kawasakis.

Writing on Twitter, Hillier said: "For the record I was unaware of my bike being against the rule book. I took risks and tried my best for nothing.

"Rules are rules and I would never intentionally break them. Apologies to the other competitors and my loyal sponsors.

"I will make up for it next year on a legitimate machine for a different team."

The revised top three saw Michael Dunlop remain top on his Team Classic Suzuki, with Michael Rutter (Winfield Harris Yamaha), who was originally fourth, promoted to second.

William Dunlop edged onto the rostrum in third (Herheim Racing Kawasaki).