- 27 riders set new personal lap records, only one made it into the 130 mph club
- A total of 667 racing laps were completed
- With five scored races, the TT recorded its lowest race count this century, excluding 2020 and 2021
The 2026 TT will be remembered above all as a weather lottery. Rain fell on seven of nine possible race days, several races had to be cancelled, and the final race day was called off entirely. Despite these circumstances, the event delivered a series of remarkable records that paint their own picture of this edition. Those who look beyond the mere winner lists will find the real story of this year in the statistics.
How many riders set a personal best at the 2026 TT?
A total of 27 riders set new personal lap records on the Mountain Course at the 2026 TT. This means that despite limited track time, an exceptionally large proportion of the field achieved individual best times.
The only new entrant to the so-called 130 mph club was Paul Jordan, who reached 130.656 mph (approximately 210.3 km/h) on the final lap of the Superbike race. Behind him were Marcus Simpson at 128.312 mph (approximately 206.5 km/h) and Michael Sweeney at 127.684 mph (approximately 205.5 km/h). AJ Venter, Jamie Cringle, Erno Kostamo, and Mitch Rees also exceeded the 127 mph mark. The range of new best times extended down to Pete Murray, who at 112.44 mph (approximately 180.9 km/h) was once again the only American TT competitor. The Mountain Course measures 37.73 miles, equating to approximately 60.72 kilometres per lap.
Which brands dominated the Superbike race in the statistics?
In the RST Superbike race, all 20 top-placed riders rode either a Honda or a BMW. No other manufacturers made it into the top 20 in this race.
This concentration on two brands underscores how closely the front-runners in the premier class were bunched together. Dean Harrison won the six-lap race on the Honda, setting the fastest race lap at 134.892 mph (approximately 217.1 km/h). Peter Hickman followed on the BMW ahead of Michael Dunlop. In the only Carole Nash Sportbike race held, Dominic Herbertson in seventh was the best rider on a machine in the Sportbike category, which replaced the previous Supertwins this year.
What does the combined podium tally of Harrison, Hickman, and Dunlop mean?
The combined number of TT podium finishes by Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, and Michael Dunlop MBE stands at 129 after the 2026 TT. This figure illustrates the dominance of this trio at the TT races in recent years.
Michael Dunlop further extended his status as record holder. With his three wins in 2026 in both Supersport races and the Sportbike race, he raised his total TT victories to 36. In the Sportbike race, he also set a new class lap record at 124.530 mph (approximately 200.4 km/h). Dean Harrison, meanwhile, first won the Superbike race as his maiden victory in this class and was subsequently declared the winner of the Milwaukee Senior TT, which was scored after one lap.
Why is the 2026 TT considered the year with the fewest races?
With five scored races, the 2026 TT marks the lowest race count this century, excluding the years 2020 and 2021. Four of these races were completed in full, while the Senior TT was scored after one completed lap.
From an originally scheduled programme of ten races, only a fraction remained. The Sidecar class was suspended for the remainder of the event after several serious incidents during practice week, and both Superstock races fell victim to the weather. The total racing laps completed amounted to 667. The Senior TT was stopped after a crash and the resulting red flag, when Dean Harrison was already on course for the lap record with an opening lap of 135.166 mph (approximately 217.5 km/h).
What awards were presented at the 2026 TT?
At the 2026 TT, Rhys Stephenson received the “RST Star of Tomorrow” award, while James Chawke was voted “Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger” by public vote. Both awards recognise outstanding achievements beyond the mere winner lists.
Stephenson was honoured for his performance on his TT debut and posted a lap of 114.073 mph in the Sportbike race on the final lap. These individual statistics round off the picture of an edition that, despite the many cancellations, produced a series of individual best performances. In the context of the overall TT season, 2026 thus ranks as a statistically unusual year, shaped above all by the weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How many races were held at the Isle of Man TT 2026?
Five races were scored at the Isle of Man TT 2026. Four of them were completed in full, while the Senior TT was declared a result after one lap. This is the lowest race count this century, excluding the 2020 and 2021 editions.
-
Who made it into the 130 mph club at the 2026 TT?
Paul Jordan was the only rider to newly enter the 130 mph club at the 2026 TT. He reached 130.656 mph on the final lap of the Superbike race, equivalent to approximately 210.3 km/h.
-
How many TT victories does Michael Dunlop have after 2026?
Michael Dunlop has a total of 36 TT victories after the 2026 TT, remaining the all-time record holder. He won both Supersport races and the sole Sportbike race this year.
-
How many racing laps were completed at the Isle of Man TT 2026 in total?
A total of 667 racing laps were completed at the Isle of Man TT 2026. Despite the numerous weather-related cancellations, 27 riders set new personal lap records.
-
Which brands occupied the top 20 in the Superbike race?
In the RST Superbike race at the 2026 TT, all 20 top-placed riders rode either a Honda or a BMW. No other manufacturers were represented in the top 20 of this race.
