- Herbertson enters Superbike, Superstock, Senior and Supersport for KTS Racing
- The BMW M1000RR is a former machine of two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes
- Only the Supertwin class is missing from the KTS programme, despite Herbertson finishing on the podium there in 2025
Dominic Herbertson is significantly expanding his partnership with KTS Racing for the Isle of Man TT 2026. Having already been confirmed as the team’s Supersport rider, the 34-year-old will now also contest the four 1000cc races on the Mountain Course. In the Superbike, Superstock and Senior classes, the Northern Irishman will ride a BMW M1000RR previously campaigned by two-time British Superbike champion Josh Brookes. Brookes himself rode the machine to second place in the 2024 Senior Race.
KTS Racing Banks on Proven BMW Package
The choice of the BMW M1000RR is no coincidence. In recent years, the machine has established itself as one of the most successful packages on the Mountain Course. Riders such as Davey Todd, Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop have taken TT victories on the M1000RR. For Herbertson and KTS Racing, this provides a solid foundation to push further forward in the big classes.
Team boss Kevin Watret sees potential in the combination of rider and machine to break into the extended front group. Herbertson has shown in recent years that he can consistently finish among the top ten in Big Bike races, according to Watret. With the BMW and the team’s experience, the aim is to give him the platform to challenge for the top six. The plan is to build steadily through practice and give Herbertson the confidence he needs to ride at his pace on the Mountain Course from the outset.
Herbertson Aims to Improve Personal Best Lap Times
Herbertson himself has set clear goals for the 119th edition of the Tourist Trophy. He spoke of the BMW giving him confidence on the Mountain Course and the overall package being strong across all classes. “The goal is to keep building, improve again on my personal best laps and push further into the top ten in all races,” said the Northern Irishman.
Herbertson brings considerable Mountain Course experience to this endeavour. To date, he has amassed 27 top-fifteen finishes at the TT. He won the Junior Classic TT back in 2018, and has stood on the podium twice in the Supertwin class. At the 2024 Cookstown 100, he claimed victory in the Grand Final.
Only the Supertwin Class Missing from the Programme
Notably, the Supertwin class is not part of the KTS programme, despite Herbertson impressing as a podium finisher there in 2025. This means the Northern Irishman is focusing entirely on the Supersport, Superbike, Superstock and Senior solo classes with KTS Racing. Whether he will compete in the Supertwin class with another team remains unknown at this stage.
For KTS Racing and Herbertson, the TT 2026 is about taking the next step. The infrastructure is in place, the machine is proven, and with 27 solid TT results behind him, Herbertson has the necessary experience. Whether the leap into the top six materialises will be decided from June onwards on the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course.
