Weather conditions delay the start
Rain during the night and fog in the morning delayed the start of qualifying, meaning that the first runs could not take place until the afternoon. The newcomers started at 14:40 with a controlled lap. This was followed by untimed sessions for the Supersport and Supertwin classes, with Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Paton) and Josh Brookes (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha) the first riders to take to the track. Then it was the turn of the Superbike/Superstock classes and finally the Sidecars.
Problems and first times
Some riders had technical problems or crashes. Michael Dunlop had to stop at Greeba, while Sam West and Marcus Simpson crashed at Governor’s Corner. After a short interruption, the first timed session started at 18:05 with the Supertwin and Supersport classes.
Supersport class: Harrison and Todd deliver
Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) and Josh Brookes led the Supersport class, followed by Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing Yamaha), Jamie Coward (KTS Racing powered by Stanley Stewart Racing Triumph), James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing), Davey Todd and Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing powered by Prosper2 Honda). Harrison set the first fastest time with 123.869 mph (199.333 km/h), but was overtaken by Todd with 124.162 mph (199.787 km/h). James Hind was also surprisingly fast, taking the lead with 124.190 mph (199.832 km/h).
On the second lap, Todd increased his speed to 125.601 mph (202.133 km/h), closely followed by Hillier (125.483 mph / 201.946 km/h) and Dunlop (125.048 mph / 201.239 km/h). Brookes and Conor Cummins also surpassed the 123 mph mark (198 km/h).
Supertwin class: Hickman comes out on top
In the Supertwin class, Michael Rutter had to retire early. Barry Furber initially set the fastest time with 114.958 mph (185.060 km/h), but was soon overtaken by Hickman, who reached 118.011 mph (189.896 km/h). Davey Todd managed a lap time of 116.063 mph (186.764 km/h) on his Dafabet Kawasaki.
Superbike/Superstock class: Hickman and Dunlop dominate
In the Superbike/Superstock session, most of the riders opted for their Superstock bikes, while Dean Harrison and John McGuinness opted for Superbikes. Hickman set the fastest lap at 129.032 mph (207.664 km/h), closely followed by Dunlop at 128.870 mph (207.405 km/h). James Hillier and Dominic Herbertson also achieved impressive times of 127.535 mph (205.253 km/h) and 127.503 mph (205.204 km/h) respectively.
John McGuinness was initially the fastest in the Superbike class with 127.126 mph (204.903 km/h), but Davey Todd surpassed him with 128.871 mph (207.406 km/h) on his Milwaukee BMW. In the end, Dunlop took the lead with a lap of 129.590 mph (208.481 km/h), just ahead of Todd with 129.575 mph (208.457 km/h).
Sidecar class: Crowes in the lead
In the final session of the day, Ryan and Callum Crowe dominated the Sidecar class on their Kelproperties Honda with 116.261 mph (187.025 km/h). They were 7.6 seconds faster than Founds/Walmsley, who reached 115.505 mph (185.725 km/h). Birchall/Rousseau followed with 114.862 mph (184.730 km/h). On their second lap, the Crowes improved their time to 116.699 mph (187.734 km/h). Birchall/Rousseau also improved to 115.882 mph (186.450 km/h), while Reeves/Wilkes reached 113.597 mph (182.802 km/h). The world champion duo of Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement impressed with 109.554 mph (176.322 km/h).
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