Sidecars open the training session
The sidecars kicked things off at 18:35 – late, but full of motivation. The reigning double winners Ryan and Callum Crowe led the way in training. The Manx brothers on their Opul/Kelproperties LCR Honda are considered the top favorites for this year’s Tourist Trophy. Several strong duos lined up behind them, including Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley on the AWB Engineering DDM Honda and the new pairing of Ben Birchall/Patrick Rosney on the Hager/Wyckham Blackwell LCR Honda.
Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (Team ARC/SJH Bodyworks LCR Kawasaki), Lewis Blackstock with rookie co-driver Oscar Lawrence (Dave Holden Racing LCR Yamaha) and reigning world champions Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Brookland Sand & Aggregates CES Yamaha) were also considered potential podium contenders.
The Crowes led the field but ended their session after one lap. The 35-minute window gave the teams the choice of completing a maximum of two laps. Ellis and Clement were less fortunate – their drive ended at Kerromoar. In contrast, Crawford/Hardie and Birchall/Rosney took the opportunity to complete a second lap. Two-time British champion Stephen Kershaw also completed two laps with co-driver Rhys Gibbons and was able to carry out important set-up work.
Supersport and Supertwin riders fly the flag
The Supersport and Supertwin classes took to the track at 19:20. Most of the favorites started first on their Supersport bikes: Dean Harrison (Honda Racing), Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Honda), James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki), Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing/Prosper2 Honda) and Ian Hutchinson (MLav Racing Yamaha).
Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman, however, opted for a different strategy. Dunlop opened the session on his MD Racing Paton, followed by Mike Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering by Russell Racing Yamaha), who took the early lead on the road. Dunlop, riding the bike on which he took his 27th TT victory in 2023, fittingly passed the corner now named after him, “MD’s” Corner, for the first time on May 27.
Behind the leading duo, a fast group formed with Harrison, Todd, Hillier, Hutchinson, Brookes, Conor Cummins (Burrows Engineering by RK Racing Ducati), James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) and returnee Gary Johnson (Team Schleizer Dreieck Suzuki), who is back after a two-year break.
Paul Jordan had to park his bike after just one lap. Browne, Harrison, Todd, Hutchinson and Cummins each completed a second lap. Dunlop switched to his Milwaukee Ducati in the meantime, while Hickman picked up the pace on his Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance.
Browne put in an additional lap on the KMR Kawasaki, his Supertwin entry. Todd also switched to his new Paton, but had to retire at Ginger Hall – losing valuable time in the saddle of the big machines.
Superbike and Superstock at the end
A combined session for the Superbike and Superstock classes was scheduled from 20:15. Josh Brookes and James Hind led the field, followed by David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki), Paul Jordan, James Hillier (now on the Muc-Off Racing Honda) and Phil Crowe (Crowe Performance BMW). Michael Dunlop was on his MD Racing BMW Superbike this time, while Peter Hickman started on the Monster Energy by 8TEN Racing Superstock BMW.
Brookes, Hind, Johnson and Jordan rode the first lap together, while Dean Harrison gradually closed the gap. While most of the riders went through to the second lap, Brookes returned and switched to his Superstock bike. Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles Honda) and former champion John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing) also took the opportunity to complete further laps of the legendary circuit.
Conclusion: First impressions in mixed conditions
Despite residual moisture and interrupted sessions, the first day of practice provided valuable insights for riders and teams. The focus was particularly on the first laps on new bikes, the form check of the favorites – and emotional moments such as Michael Dunlop’s ride through the corner named after him.
[amazon box=”B084SR1B8H”]
