Isle of Man TT 2026: Three Awards Beyond the Race Wins

• James Chawke wins the Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger, determined by public vote.
• 20-year-old newcomer Rhys Stephenson receives the RST Star of Tomorrow Award.
• Barry Furber secures the TT Privateers Champion title after five solo races.

The TT 2026 ended prematurely when the final race day fell victim to the weather. While the big headlines belonged to winners Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop, three additional honours spotlighted riders who had shaped the character of the event over the course of the fortnight. They show that the Tourist Trophy is not just about podium places, but also about consistency, talent and the backing of the fans.

Who Won the Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger 2026?

The Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger 2026 was won by James Chawke from Limerick, Ireland. The award is determined by a public vote that remains open throughout the entire TT fortnight, putting the spotlight on those competitors whose commitment and passion might otherwise go unnoticed.

Each year, a shortlist of four privateer riders is compiled from the official entry list. Chawke prevailed over Jonathan Perry, Baz Furber and Timothee Monot. Previous winners include Loris Majcan, Rhys Gibbons, Raul Torres Martinez and Nathan Harrison.

Chawke started in all solo classes: he rode a BMW M 1000 RR in the Superbike TT, a Suzuki GSX-R 750 in the Supersport TT and an Aprilia RS 660 in the Sportbike class. He finished the Superbike TT in 27th place, the Supersport TT in 28th position and the Sportbike race in 22nd. His time of 1:50:55.105 at an average of 122.458 mph (around 197 km/h) in the Superbike TT was his best mark to date over six laps, and he also improved his pace over three laps in the Supersport race.

Chawke is a familiar face in the TT paddock. Since his debut in 2019, which followed his Junior Manx Grand Prix victory in 2018, he has finished 23 of 28 races started. On his very first appearance, he finished 11th in the Lightweight TT on a Paton, just 13 seconds behind tenth-placed Horst Saiger. His 14th place in the 2024 Superbike TT ranks among his strongest results. In 2026, he earned a Bronze Replica in all five solo races.

What Is the RST Star of Tomorrow Award?

The RST Star of Tomorrow Award went to newcomer Rhys Stephenson, who received it after the conclusion of the TT. The award recognises the rider who demonstrates outstanding performance, dedication and potential, and is presented by Rider Liaison Officers John Barton and Richard “Milky” Quayle. Previous recipients include 2024 Senior TT winner Davey Todd as well as sidecar record holders Ryan and Callum Crowe.

The 20-year-old Stephenson from Lincolnshire was the youngest competitor at this year’s TT. Before his Island debut, he had already gained experience in the British Superbike Championship paddock. In 2022, he finished fourth in the British Talent Cup with six podiums before switching to the Sportbike class in 2024, where he claimed a runner-up finish at Thruxton on his way to eighth overall. In 2025, he improved to seventh in the championship standings with two podium finishes on a Triumph.

At the TT, Stephenson finished 24th in the Sportbike TT with an average of 113.550 mph (around 183 km/h). This earned him a Bronze Replica, and he crossed the finish line as the second newcomer behind Manx Grand Prix graduate Toby Shann. His team runs under the banner of Rocket Racing, Pell Plant Hire and Micrometric Triumph.

What Does the TT Privateers Champion Title Mean?

The 2026 TT Privateers Champion title went to Barry Furber from Bishop’s Castle. The classification has been running since 2010 and only counts solo riders who compete at the TT without manufacturer support.

The title was only decided in the final race. Going into the Senior TT, Furber and Finland’s Erno Kostamo were level on points at the top. Kostamo crashed at the 11th Milestone during the Senior, so the trophy went to Furber. In the Senior TT, which was classified after a single lap, he finished 19th and set his fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course at 126.376 mph (around 203 km/h). Earlier in the week, he had added another top-ten result with eighth place in the Sportbike TT and finished inside the top 20 in both Supersport races.

Furber raced at the Manx Grand Prix in 2014 and 2015 before making his TT debut in 2016. He has since made 47 TT starts. His strongest class so far has been Supertwin, where he finished sixth and ninth in 2023 and seventh and ninth in 2025. That same year, he claimed his first international road race podium at the North West 200 and set personal best laps in every class at the TT.

Why Was the TT 2026 Ended Early?

The TT 2026 was called off on the final day due to bad weather. The Milwaukee Senior TT, which had been red-flagged after just over one lap the previous day, was officially classified as a result, confirming Dean Harrison as the winner. Harrison had previously also won the Superbike TT. Michael Dunlop won both Supersport races and the Sportbike race. These three wins took his tally to 36 TT victories.

With the presentation of the three special awards, the record of the TT 2026 is complete, fitting once again into the context of a busy road racing season as in previous years.

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