- 51 race starts, 22 podiums, fourth-fastest sidecar pilot in TT history
- Comeback with Carl Cox Motorsport on a DMR Yamaha
- Father-son duel: John Holden races against his son George
John Holden simply cannot let go. The now 69-year-old sidecar pilot from Blackburn has already announced his retirement from active racing twice, only to change his mind shortly after on both occasions. It has now been confirmed that the two-time Tourist Trophy winner will once again line up on the Isle of Man in 2026. Alongside him sits Phil Hyde, a passenger who also knows the Mountain Course inside out. Together, the pair will compete for Carl Cox Motorsport on a DMR Yamaha in both sidecar races, each held over three laps.
Five Decades on the Mountain Course
Holden’s history at the Tourist Trophy dates back to 1988, when he finished fourth in the 350cc Formula Two class on his debut. Since then, the Englishman has developed into one of the most consistent and successful sidecar drivers in the history of the race. The numbers speak for themselves: in 51 race starts, Holden collected two victories, 22 podium finishes, and 39 top-ten results. His fastest lap stands at 117.878 mph, set in 2018, making him the fourth-fastest sidecar driver of all time. Only Dave Molyneux, with 31 podium finishes, has stood on the podium more often.
Particularly significant was his long-standing partnership with passenger Andrew Winkle between 2006 and 2016, during which the duo secured twelve podium finishes, including both of Holden’s victories in 2011 and 2016. Many fans will remember the thrilling duels with Austrian Klaus Klaffenböck in 2010 and 2011. Klaffenböck won three of four races at the time, but in the second race of 2011, Holden’s moment came after his rival was forced out by a technical failure. Five years later, he was able to repeat the triumph. In a later partnership with Lee Cain, Holden achieved six consecutive second places. His most recent podium dates from 2023 – his 22nd in his career.
Two Retirements, Two Comebacks
At the Sidecar Festival 2023, Holden announced the end of his racing career. A few months later, he reversed that decision and entered the TT 2024. “It’s simply the love for this place and the people here,” he explained at the time about his retirement from retirement. At the TT 2024, he finished eighth in the first race, while the second race ended prematurely at a promising position due to a defect on his outfit.
Holden then sat out the TT 2025. The three-time British F2 champion wanted to pass on his experience to his son George, who made his debut on the island last year. Although 33-year-old George performed well and his father was visibly proud, Holden described his own state of mind as “miserable.” The role of spectator clearly did not suit him.
Wife Fiona as the Driving Force Behind the Return
After also overcoming a serious illness, the decision for another comeback was made. His wife Fiona played a significant role in this – as a long-time passenger herself, she knows from her own experience how hard it is to say goodbye to racing. “There is nothing like the TT. Fiona encouraged me to come back, and I’m also really looking forward to doing a parade lap with her, that will be very special, especially as she has unfinished business from 2018,” Holden said. He was referring to his wife’s serious accident, which she only survived by luck.
Experienced Passenger at Holden’s Side
With Phil Hyde, Holden has chosen a passenger who also knows the Mountain Course very well. Hyde made his TT debut in 2013 and has since achieved several top-ten results, including three fifth places alongside Gary Bryan. He has reached lap speeds of over 113 mph. Hyde spoke of having missed the TT enormously. When Holden asked him if he was in, he did not hesitate. They both know what it takes on the Mountain Course to put together a good lap.
Father Against Son on the Mountain Course
The comeback takes on a special dimension due to the fact that father and son will compete in the same field for the first time. John Holden makes no secret of the fact that he wants to beat his son George, even though he realistically assesses the challenge. “Beating George would be a tall order, but I do have the experience over him. Phil and I have a lot of laps between us, and we’ve proved before that you can be competitive without having the most horsepower,” he said. He wants to exceed the doubters’ expectations and, if possible, make history.
Besides Holden and Hyde, Tim Reeves is another prominent name returning to the TT 2026, whose comeback was announced in February.
→ This article is part of our comprehensive overview of the Isle of Man TT 2026 – find all information on schedule, riders, teams, and results in our Isle of Man TT 2026 overview.
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