TT 2026: Harrison Dominates First Qualifying, Dunlop Struggles with Honda

• Dean Harrison completes three laps and sets the pace at 133.9 mph on his hybrid concept combining a Superbike engine with a Superstock chassis
• Michael Dunlop heads out on the new Honda Superbike, returns immediately and has the fork preload adjusted
• Josh Brookes reaches 130.1 mph on the Superstock bike and is clocked at 196 mph at the Sulby speed trap

The first timed qualifying session of the Isle of Man TT 2026 took place on Tuesday evening in record heat and near-windless conditions. On Monday evening, an incident at Parliament Square that injured spectators had led to the cancellation of the training session. The scheduled qualifying was scrapped. For the Superbike and Superstock riders, Tuesday’s session starting at 6:30 PM local time was therefore the first opportunity to set a timed lap on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course. Dean Harrison made the most of it and established himself at the top with a clear margin.

What made the first TT 2026 qualifying session so special?

Tuesday evening’s session offered conditions rarely seen on the Mountain Course. According to the organizers, it was the hottest May day since weather records began in the United Kingdom. Even at Windy Corner, a section of the course named after the normally constant wind, there was complete stillness. For the riders, this meant ideal conditions on one hand, while the heat posed an additional physical challenge on the other.

Several riders reported cooling themselves with fans and damp towels before heading out on track. A traffic accident on the public road also caused a delay to the session start. Nevertheless, most riders used the time intensively, as only a limited number of qualifying sessions remain before race week.

What makes Dean Harrison’s hybrid concept so special?

Dean Harrison ran a hybrid setup: a Superbike engine with Superbike brakes, fitted into a Superstock chassis. This concept was developed by his crew chief Scott Harper. In an interview, Harper explained that they had simply taken the best components from the Superbike and put them in the Superstock chassis because the overall package worked better there. Harrison had already won two Superstock races on the island in 2025 with this setup.

Harrison started as number three and was the only rider to complete three full laps. His standing start already produced 132.2 mph. On the second, flying lap, he improved to 133.9 mph with a lap time of 16 minutes and 54 seconds. He completed the third lap on the Superstock bike. The commentators noted that Harrison only managed this third lap because he was one of the first to go out. Had he started ten seconds later, there would not have been enough time.

Why did Michael Dunlop struggle with his Honda?

Michael Dunlop had made a manufacturer switch ahead of the TT 2026. Originally, the plan was for him to race the Ducati Panigale V4 R at the Northwest 200 as well. Instead, he switched to a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade from the Hawk Racing team for the Superbike class. For the Superstock class, Dunlop is using a BMW.

An unusual scene unfolded on the grid: both the Honda Superbike and the BMW Superstock stood ready to go. Dunlop and his crew chief discussed which bike he should take. Eventually, Dunlop headed out on the Honda but returned to the pit lane after just a few meters. He was visibly unhappy, gesticulating and sitting down in front of a fan to cool off. The mechanics then adjusted the fork preload to put more weight on the front wheel. Dunlop subsequently went back out on the Honda.

Dunlop holds the all-time record at the Tourist Trophy with 33 victories. At the TT 2025, he took four wins and thereby clearly surpassed the longstanding record of his uncle Joey Dunlop of 26 victories. When asked about further goals, Dunlop said in an interview: “I just wanna make sure to keep winning. That’s the main thing.” He wants to keep winning and not just be there to make up the numbers. Regarding the Honda switch, he said simply that the situation had not exactly made preparation easier, but there was nothing to be done about it.

At the TT 2024, Dunlop had set a personal best of 135.970 mph on the Honda, the current lap record on the Mountain Course. In that race, he led by 20 seconds when his visor came loose during the pit stop. Despite this setback, he set the record time on the final lap. In the first qualifying of 2026, however, he was far from that pace.

How is Peter Hickman faring after his serious crash?

Peter Hickman returned to the Mountain Course after a serious accident at the TT 2025. Additionally, he suffered two crashes at the Daytona 200 in March 2026 that worsened the nerve damage in his arm. Despite this, Hickman competed on a BMW from the 8TEN Racing team.

Hickman chose a deliberately conservative strategy and initially went out on the Superstock bike. On both machines, he is using kit electronics this year instead of the usual BSB specification package, which is intended to make riding physically easier. In an interview, he explained that Dean Harrison had already overtaken him during Monday’s Superbike practice. It had taken all his willpower not to chase Harrison, because he currently needs to ride at his own pace.

After Monday’s practice, he was actually slightly faster than during his preparatory laps the previous year, which he himself had not expected. His approach was clear: build up step by step, don’t think about others, and ride with a smile on his face.

Which other riders stood out?

Josh Brookes once again delivered a strong performance on the Mountain Course. The experienced Superbike racer reached 130.1 mph in Superstock qualifying and was clocked at 196 mph at the Sulby Straight speed trap, roughly five miles per hour faster than anyone else. On the DAO Racing Honda, the Australian is making a convincing impression according to tire manufacturer Dunlop.

Nathan Harrison also placed among the front-runners, showing an aggressive but controlled riding style. The H&H Motorcycles rider is considered, alongside Davey Todd, one of the few younger riders capable of competing at the front of the field.

Ian Hutchinson reached 128 mph from a standing start. He had previously spoken about the new track surface, particularly in the Ginger Hall area, where the course had been resurfaced. The normally bumpy section was now so smooth that he had to adjust his riding style because he could no longer rely on the familiar bumps.

John McGuinness started another TT season with the number 1 plate. The veteran rode a quiet session and was accompanied in the paddock by his family, including his daughter and his son, who watched from various points around the course for the first time. Conor Cummins reported problems with a false neutral on his Bathams BMW, an issue that occurs more frequently on Superstock bikes than on Superbikes, whose specialized gearboxes largely prevent unwanted neutral positions.

Davey Todd, seeded as number 8, was unable to compete due to injury and was instead heard as a guest commentator on the TV broadcast.

Outlook for the rest of qualifying week

Two more qualifying sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, weather permitting. Thursday is traditionally a rest day on the island. The final qualifying session takes place on Friday before race week begins on Saturday. For Dunlop and his Honda team, every remaining session will be crucial to getting the Fireblade’s setup sorted. Harrison enters the next sessions as the best-prepared rider with three completed laps and the clear fastest time.

The TT 2026 is marked by several manufacturer switches and team changes. How quickly the riders can tune their new packages to the most demanding road course in the world will become apparent in the coming days.

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