Isle of Man TT: Dunlop Parks Both Bikes as Harrison Extends His Lead

• Dean Harrison posts the fastest Superbike lap of the evening at around 133 mph
• Michael Dunlop ends session early after problems with both Honda Superbike and BMW Superstock
• Josh Brookes sets the Superstock best time at 131.9 mph

On Wednesday evening, the Superbike and Superstock riders rolled out for the third qualifying session of the Isle of Man TT 2026 in perfect conditions. The sun was shining, temperatures were high, and conditions could hardly have been better for fast lap times. What followed was a session of stark contrasts: while Dean Harrison reinforced his dominant position in the field, Michael Dunlop endured an evening to forget. Added to that were an engine failure, an excursion into a hedge, and an incident that saw one rider airlifted to hospital.

How Fast Was Dean Harrison in the Third Qualifying?

Dean Harrison confirmed his status as favourite at the TT 2026 once again on Wednesday evening. The Honda Racing UK rider posted the fastest Superbike lap of the session at a speed in the region of 133 mph, placing himself clearly at the top of the class. Earlier in the afternoon session, Harrison had already set the benchmark on his Superstock machine, clocking 133.867 mph as the only rider to break the 17-minute barrier.

What sets Harrison apart is that he never looks like he is riding at the limit. In a brief pre-session interview, he was taciturn and focused. His goal was simply a few adjustments to the Superbike to improve handling. His sights are already firmly set on Friday, when racing begins. The commentators agreed that Harrison still has reserves and further improvements could be expected on race day.

Behind the scenes, his son Ewan plays an important role. The self-proclaimed statistics enthusiast analyses his father’s sector times and provides an assessment after every lap. Depending on what is needed, he delivers either a motivational boost or a sober analysis of the data. This week, Ewan watched the session for the first time from a spot right at the trackside rather than from the grandstand and was visibly impressed by the speed and precision of the riders up close.

Michael Dunlop: What Went Wrong With Both Machines?

Michael Dunlop experienced the most difficult evening of his TT week so far. He first went out on his Hawk Racing Honda Superbike but returned to the pit lane after covering only a short distance. According to observations from the paddock, Dunlop was visibly unhappy with the behaviour of the machine. An immediate repair or adjustment did not appear feasible within the remaining session time, so the Superbike was parked.

Dunlop then switched to his BMW Superstock in an attempt to at least collect some track time on that machine. However, a problem arose on the BMW as well, forcing him to return early. Both machines stood unused in the paddock at the end of the session. The exact technical causes remained unclear. As usual, little information emerged from the Dunlop camp.

For Dunlop, this means additional pressure. Thursday is a rest day when teams can work but no track time is available. The final qualifying opportunity before Friday’s races therefore becomes all the more important. In the overall Superbike qualifying standings after the afternoon session, Dunlop sat in third place behind Peter Hickman and John McGuinness, with a best time of 130.233 mph.

Who Impressed in the Superstock Class?

Josh Brookes set the fastest Superstock time of the evening. The DAO Racing rider posted a lap at 131.9 mph, a significant improvement on his previous sessions. Despite this, Brookes did not appear entirely satisfied after the lap, which apparently had more to do with the feel of the bike than the outright speed. Together with his crew chief, he discussed possible changes immediately upon his return before switching directly to the Superbike to collect more track time.

John McGuinness once again proved that experience on the Mountain Course is irreplaceable. The Honda Racing UK rider posted laps in the 130 mph range and appeared notably relaxed. His plan for the evening: two clean laps on the Superstock, then call it a day. For the rest day on Thursday, he already had a programme lined up that consisted mainly of relaxation and an ice cream. McGuinness sees himself in contention for the podium, even if a few riders are currently out of reach. It was his first Superstock session of the week, having been at BSB tests in Spain beforehand.

Nathan Harrison also showed good form, posting laps in the 130 mph range on the Superstock. Peter Hickman, who had set the fastest Superbike lap in the afternoon session, also switched to the Superstock after his Superbike run and gathered further data.

What Incidents Occurred During the Evening Session?

The session was not without incident. Jamie Coward was unable to take part at all. The engine of his Superstock Honda had failed before the session. His team is working on a replacement engine, and as a Honda rider, the chances of sourcing spare parts in the paddock should be good.

Brian McCormack provided one of the more curious moments of the evening. The Irishman had problems with the launch control on his machine, which had already attracted attention on the start line. During his lap, he subsequently missed the ideal line in one passage, drifted too far towards the edge of the track and collided with a hedge. The impact hit his helmet and shoulder but without serious consequences. McCormack was able to continue.

More serious was the incident involving Mikey Evans. The rider came off the road at Greeba Castle and was airlifted to Noble’s Hospital as a precaution. Further details about his condition were not immediately available.

Barry Furber meanwhile struggled with setup problems on his Superbike. Changes made before the session noticeably worsened the handling. The bike felt unstable, as if the front and rear wheels were not running in line, Furber said. He abandoned the Superbike session to focus on his other machines. Conor Cummins also appeared not to be pushing fully on his Bathams Racing BMW and remained below his potential.

What Is the Overall Picture Ahead of Race Day?

After three qualifying sessions, the balance of power at the TT 2026 is becoming increasingly clear. Dean Harrison is the man to beat in both major classes. His speed on both Superbike and Superstock has been unmatched this week, and he appears strikingly composed in the process.

Behind Harrison, a strong group of pursuers is forming. Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes have established themselves as serious contenders. John McGuinness shows he is in the mix for the podium. Michael Dunlop undoubtedly has the ability and experience to be at the front on race day but must first resolve the technical problems.

Thursday brings a rest day before racing begins on Friday. For several teams, this day will be crucial for making final setup adjustments and resolving mechanical issues. The qualifying week of the TT 2026 has already demonstrated that the depth of competition in the field is high and that, as always on the Mountain Course, reliability will play a decisive role in determining the outcome.

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