What we learned from TT practice week
Practice is almost over and now it’s time to race. With so many bikes for the racers to test, and not enough laps in the day, it’s always hard to read too much into practice week at the Isle of Man TT races, but for sure some stories are emerging.
Here’s what we’ve taken from practice week…
Davey Todd is a contender
It was a tough TT’23 for the popular Teessider Davey Todd. A combination of illness and mechanical woes meant he was unable to show his full potential in what was expected to be his breakthrough year. Now with the TAS Racing squad, he’s absolutely smashed it in practice week. Todd is top of the times in Superbike and right up there in Superstock and Supersport too. A podium is almost inevitable, and a win definitely not out of the question.
Harrison and Honda are still not quite gelled
The biggest story of the winter was Dean Harrison’s defection from Kawasaki to Honda. The 2019 Senior TT winner was on the podium in every race he entered last year but didn’t quite seem to have the horsepower to knock Hicky and Dunlop from the top step. His move to the official Honda team should have given him the extra ponies and has created much anticipation, although so far it’s not quite come together. He’s posted a 132mph lap on the final day of practice though, so things are going in the right direction. Don’t rule him out!
Someone new could will be on the podium
We’ve already said we think Todd will break his podium duck, but there are plenty of others too, especially in the smaller capacity classes. Young Jim Hind has been a revelation on his Suzuki GSX-R750 supersport machine while the ever popular Dom Herbertson has enjoyed a strong practice week. We also think some of the guys who’ve climbed the Supertwin podium could well make their breakthrough on the bigger bikes this year as well. We’re looking at you Josh Brookes and Jamie Coward!
Dunlop and Hickman to rewrite history
For all the coming men, Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop are still the riders to beat. With four wins each last year, they were on a different level to the others. Anyone who can claim both of them as a scalp will almost certainly be a TT winner. Both are history makers, and should write some more this year.
Sidecars set for a new order?
The Birchall brothers, Ben and Tom, have been the dominant force in TT sidecars for a decade, but with passenger Tom retiring there will be at least one new name at the top of the podium. It could be Kevin Rousseau, Ben’s new chair man, but they are a doubt for the first race after crashing and damaging their outfit on Friday.
Manx brothers Ryan and Callum Crowe have been quickest in qualifying, with the Peter Founds / Jevan Walmsley pairing hot on their heels. Check out world champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. They’re making their TT debut and will only get faster in the races.
Supertwins looking super hot
There’s a strong entry for the Metzeler and Entire Cover Supertwin TTs. Dunlop and Hickman lead the way in practice but behind them there are a host of quality entries who could potentially upset the apple cart in races which are as much about reliability as outright speed. Coward and Herbertson have joined Hicky and Dunlop in posting 120+mph laps, with in form Davey Todd just behind in fifth. We can’t wait!
Superstocks are superfast
Such is the capability of modern sportsbikes, a number of riders are running their ‘standard’ superstock machines in the superbike class. These need to run stock forks, brakes and engine internals, but are easier to ride and almost as powerful. Indeed, the fastest ever lap of the TT course was set last year by Peter Hickman on his superstock BMW – a staggering 136.358mph. The fastest lap in practice is also on a ‘stocker, and again it’s Hickman.
Supersports are well matched
Supersport racing has moved on from being a 600cc only class. Last year saw the Triumph Street Triple RS debut at the TT and this year sees an influx of new models racing under the latest next-generation rules. Entries from Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph and Honda are all fairly equally matched, with all manufacturers represented in the top 10 in qualifying.
There’s still life in the old dogs
Experience counts in TT racing and the top three riders are all in their late 30s. But we’re tipping our hats to the real veterans out there, especially 52-year-old John McGuinness. The 23-time winner admits his TT winning days are behind him, but he’s found a little resurgence and sits sixth in the superbike class after qualifying. A podium’s not out the question and boy will there be scenes if he can pull a Joey moment and take a 24th win.
TT is still the greatest show on earth
That’s all. Hope you all enjoy race week!