- Ian Hutchinson will compete in the Supersport race at the Tourist Trophy for the first time on a Ducati in 2026.
- 8Ten Racing is entering its second season with Davey Todd and Peter Hickman.
- Both projects are focusing on the TT and other international road races.
A look at the road racing plans for 2026 reveals two very different but equally relevant stories. While Ian Hutchinson will be competing with a new team and a new motorcycle, 8Ten Racing is clearly focusing on sporting continuity and better preparation after a difficult first year.
Ian Hutchinson, Bingley, Tyco BMW Motorrad wins the TT Superbike Race from Peter Hickman, Louth, Smiths Racing and Dean Harrison, Bradford, Silicone Engineering
Ian Hutchinson to race on Ducati for the first time in 2026
Ian Hutchinson is set for a significant change at the 2026 Tourist Trophy. The 16-time TT winner will compete on a Ducati for the first time in the Supersport race. Hutchinson will ride for the Burrows Engineering team on a Ducati Panigale V2.
The motorcycle is not an unknown package. Conor Cummins achieved a top 10 finish in the first Supersport race at last year’s Tourist Trophy. In addition, Ducati celebrated its first TT victory in 30 years in 2025, achieved by Michael Dunlop on the same model.
Hutchinson brings extensive Supersport experience to the table. In the past, he has ridden for Yamaha, among others, and most recently competed for MLav Racing in several classes. The move to Burrows Engineering will now give him the opportunity to compete in an environment he has known and appreciated for many years.
Long-standing connection as a basis
The collaboration between Hutchinson and team boss John Burrows dates back to 2003. Both competed in the Manx Grand Prix at that time. Hutchinson emphasized that he had followed the team’s development over two decades and particularly appreciated its professional presentation and family commitment.
John Burrows also sees Hutchinson as a key reinforcement for the Supersport project. He points to his successes in this class and speaks of a noticeable new motivation after difficult years in terms of sporting performance. Hutchinson’s plans for the 1000cc classes at the 2026 TT are currently still open.
8Ten Racing sets its sights firmly on 2026
The 8Ten Racing team will be entering its second full season in 2026. After a turbulent start in 2025, triggered by the sudden withdrawal of the FHO project from the British Superbike Championship, the focus is now on structured preparation for the first time.
Davey Todd with momentum from 2025
For Davey Todd, the 2025 road racing season was extremely successful. He won the only Superbike race held at the Tourist Trophy, triumphed at the North West 200, retained his King of the Roads title, and won the Macau Grand Prix. Particularly noteworthy was a one-two finish for 8Ten Racing ahead of teammate Peter Hickman.
Todd emphasizes that the team now has significantly more time to prepare. Progress is to be made, particularly in circuit racing and British Superbike, in order to then go into the road races with a better overall package. The goal remains to secure further victories and fight for TT success once again.
Peter Hickman is counting on a fresh start
For Peter Hickman, 2026 is all about rebuilding. After a serious crash at the 2025 Tourist Trophy and several injuries, he returned late in the season. The Macau Grand Prix marked his comeback to road racing, followed by points finishes in the BSB.
Looking back, Hickman describes 2025 as a necessary rebuilding year. He believes the team is much better prepared for 2026. In addition to a full British Superbike season, the focus will once again be on the North West 200, the Tourist Trophy, and other international events.
Outlook for the 2026 road racing season
With Hutchinson’s Ducati debut in Supersport and 8Ten Racing’s clearly stated ambitions, an exciting constellation is emerging in international road racing for 2026. While new partnerships are being tested, established riders are focusing on better preparation and continuity. How competitive these concepts will be at the Isle of Man TT and other classics will only become clear on the Mountain Course.
What does this mean for me as a road racing fan?
The announcements for 2026 point to a season in which familiar names will compete in new constellations and existing projects will gain stability. A rider like Ian Hutchinson on Ducati in Supersport adds extra sporting friction to an already close class, while 8Ten Racing with Todd and Hickman is focusing on consistency and preparation. For road racing fans, this means above all more excitement at the TT and the international classics, as both new technical combinations and high-level internal team duels are emerging without the sporting balance of power already being clearly distributed.
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