- 20/06/2025
Highlights of qualifying for the 2025 Isle Of Man TT
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00:00I'm really, really excited.
00:02Yeah, there's loads going on this year, isn't there?
00:04So, shall we get stuck in and see what gossip's going on in the paddock?
00:07Yeah, why not?
00:11So, last year we saw Michael Dunlop become the most successful TT rider of all time,
00:16taking 29 TT wins, and he's carried that momentum on into this year.
00:21He took three North West 200 wins, and he's going to want to be number one this year at the TT, isn't he?
00:26Yeah, 100%.
00:27I believe he started off stronger this year than he did last year.
00:31So, if I was racing right now, I would be slightly more worried than even the guys were last year.
00:35Yeah, he is looking good on the bike, and a change in machinery for him.
00:39Different bikes this year, a World Superbike spec BMW, and a change in Supersport as well with the Ducati.
00:46Yeah, I think the BM is a really good choice.
00:49We've seen that proven with race wins in recent years, but the big thing for me is the Ducati in Supersport.
00:54It's a little bit of an unknown to him, but I believe that is a World Super Sport bike he has as well.
00:59There's been mentions of that.
01:00So, yeah, the quality of the machinery is definitely in Michael's favour this year.
01:04Yeah, but he has got some tough competition, and that was made quite clear at the North West 200
01:10that there's some teams that are going to want to be challenging him this year.
01:14Yeah, I think the biggest one's going to come from the guys at 8.10 racing with Davey Todd and Peter Hickman.
01:21Should we go and see if we can find them?
01:22Yeah, why not?
01:24Two people that are certainly going to be challenging Michael Dunlop this year are last year's Superbike winner,
01:30Peter Hickman, and last year's senior winner, Davey Todd, have joined forces for a new team this year on the TT grid.
01:37Yeah, I think if you were a team owner right now and you had a chance to pick two riders, this would be the two riders you'd pick.
01:42Yeah, and it's created a brilliant rivalry that we're going to see, especially after the North West 200 was a bit spicy.
01:50They're going to want to take some wins.
01:52I think some other notable changes for this year are the two teammates who were with Paget's Honda last year,
01:58but have now moved to BMW.
02:00Separate teams, Ian Hutchinson and Connor Cummings, two massive fan favourites at the TT.
02:05Yeah, we know that Ian's went to MLAV's BMW team and Connor Cummings has went to the Burroughs Engineering team
02:13and both guys have been going really well this year, especially Ian getting on the podium again at the North West 200.
02:18That was a big fan favourite moment, I think.
02:20That brings a tear to my eye to see Hutchie after all the adversity he's suffered to be there on the podium.
02:26But I guess on the flip side of that, one rider that was on BMW last year but has moved to Honda, Josh Brooks.
02:32They've struggled a lot at the North West 200.
02:33Josh is quite a technical rider and, honestly, I think he will turn it around.
02:37Obviously, in the top five or six fastest all-time TT riders, so we're going to be expecting something from him in the next two weeks.
02:43Yeah.
02:48So let's take a quick look at the sidecar grid, Lee.
02:50Now, one significant name that we won't see lining up on the grid is 17-time TT winner Dave Molyneux.
02:58He now becomes a rider liaison officer, so the newcomers that are coming to the grid will definitely want to soak up his advice.
03:06The likes of Steve Kershaw, George Holden.
03:09That's going to be really interesting to see.
03:10Them guys are going to gain massively from having him there.
03:13Yeah, for sure.
03:14And the Crow brothers are back.
03:16They're going to be defending their titles.
03:18But also Ben Birchall is back with a new passenger in Patrick Rosny.
03:23Birchall looks in a lot stronger position than what he was in last year.
03:27And the Crow brothers, they're obviously coming back to try and win again.
03:30So, yeah, that's going to be a really interesting battle as the week unfolds.
03:33It's definitely going to make for an exciting week.
03:35So let's see what happens.
03:36It's definitely all to play for.
03:37Oh, great stuff.
03:43Great to have Lee with us as well this year.
03:45And I'm delighted to say that also alongside us for TT 2025 is double winner Cam Donald alongside me in the studio once again.
03:51Cam, great to see you.
03:52And as always with the TT, there's lots of stories to cover before we've even seen anything out on the roads.
03:58Yeah, there certainly is.
03:59The 8-10 team, that's an interesting one, isn't it?
04:02Like the riders actually taking on sort of management roles in the team in themselves.
04:06That's very different for a rider.
04:07A lot of riders ride for a team where they just turn up, so to speak, and they're not involved in the administration side or the running side of a team.
04:15And, you know, you have to think that requires a lot of energy when your energy is taken up by riding the bike itself.
04:20So that's definitely going to be more of a challenge.
04:23It's a dream for some riders to have more control over their surroundings.
04:26But it also definitely, it must add to the workload.
04:29Yeah, Michael, I guess he's used to doing that over the last few years to an extent.
04:33Michael does like to play the underdog card.
04:35And he does that well, but I think it's hard to play that this year when you look at his line-up of machines.
04:42You know, that V2 Ducati, I mean, it's currently leading the same model British Supersport Championship, current World Supersport Champion.
04:50And, you know, the bike is so good.
04:52We saw the damage that Michael can do on that bike at the northwest at straight-line speed, drive off the turns, taking nothing away from Michael.
04:59I mean, he's got to pilot it.
05:01We know how good he rides, but partnered with that machine.
05:04And then Michael, of course, having the BMW straight from, you know, Shawmuir Racing, it's the official BMW Motorrad World Superbike team.
05:13He's probably got the two best bikes out there in those classes.
05:17So, yeah, it's going to be a frightening fast combination, I think.
05:21But Dean Harrison, he's settled.
05:23He's back with Honda once again.
05:25He's got all that support around him.
05:26He's been going well on the short circuits.
05:28Got to be one to watch this year.
05:30He's always the quiet achiever.
05:31You know, he's constantly on the podium.
05:32We saw that again at the northwest, podium again in every race.
05:35Like, incredible his consistency.
05:38Just not with that number one step yet.
05:40So it has to be coming.
05:41But, look, it's so challenging for these riders to get the head around the course again, you know, 37 three-quarter miles.
05:48Things change from year to year with conditions, not only the course, but around the course, your reference points and whatnot, coming to terms with those and different machinery with new bikes and team lineups.
05:59And that's made it even more difficult by the lack of track time with this challenging weather this week.
06:04So, yeah, everyone's up against it.
06:06Okay.
06:06Lots to look forward to then in the big bikes.
06:09But first up, let's take a check in on Super Twins.
06:12Here's our Lee with a quick reminder.
06:23Super Twins class.
06:24This class was originally brought in to replace the 250 two-stroke class.
06:29The reason for that was to make the class more cost-effective.
06:32That is not the case right now.
06:34This class and these bikes are ranging from between 35,000 to 75,000 pounds.
06:40Even though this is the lowest capacity class on the Isle of Man right now, these bikes are still capable of speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.
06:49This all comes from the engine putting out between 100 to 110 horsepower.
06:54Some of the bigger changes you can make to the bike are the body work.
06:57This changes the silhouette, makes the bike more aerodynamic, which also adds to that top speed.
07:02Starting at the front of the bike, you can change the yokes, the forks, the brakes.
07:08The tank can be changed, the silhouette and the capacity to be able to do two laps of the TT.
07:13Moving towards the back of the bike, we can change the rear swing arm, but that has to be made by the same manufacturer.
07:19All these things add to the top cost of the bike and therefore making the racing really close and competitive.
07:29So, a fascinating prospect ahead in this year's Super Twins.
07:32Let's find out who could make it work best in qualifying with Andrew Coley.
07:43After a slow start to practice week, the Super Twin class finally took to the Isle of Man TT course for its first proper qualifying session on Wednesday evening.
07:52Under gloomy, yet thankfully dry skies.
07:54In recent years, the class has been ruled by the good-looking and even better-sounding pattern, and this year appears to be no different.
08:03Rob Hodson, on the number 15, was chased home by the number 6 of Michael Dunlop, both setting 119 mph average speeds.
08:11The Daffabet Racing at number 5, Kawasaki and Michael Evans completed the top 3 on day 1 with a 118.6 mph lap.
08:21Evans would go on to set the early pace in Friday's qualifying session with a 121.4 mph lap on his second tour of the TT course.
08:33But in the dying moments of the session, tinted by the summer sun, winner of the last three Super Twin TTs, Michael Dunlop, flew to a 122 mph pace at the session lead.
08:44All that despite slowing for yellow flags out on course.
08:50Dominic Herbertson jumped to the top 3 aboard the number 13 pattern with an 18-minute, 40-second lap, whilst Mike Brown and Davey Todd completed Friday's top 5, all at over 120 mph.
09:00So Michael Dunlop just squeezed in that lap in right at the end of the session to top the Super Twins, but he'll be keeping a close eye before race day on Davey Todd and on Peter Hickman, who in a surprise twist have joined forces for TT 2025.
09:30Davey Todd, Peter Hickman, two TT winners at the top of their game that have gone from team mates to now co-owners of 810 Racing.
09:41How did it happen?
09:43Yeah, straight in with the heavy questions, I like it.
09:46Yeah, it's a new era I think for both of us, but I think actually also in racing it's unusual for top level riders in particular in our sport to actually run or own their own team.
10:00Obviously we were both meant to be riding for the FHO Racing team. Things in the team were not 100%. There was a few changes over the winter that we were not happy with, particularly as riders.
10:10I've got a lot to thank FHO Racing for, but sometimes a change is needed.
10:15Me and Pete sat down and had a bit of a discussion and when we had a few things in place, we, I guess, worked out an opportunity that we could build something on our own or potentially build something on our own.
10:28And a few more discussions later we had to, I guess, put it into play pretty quickly as we were very swiftly running out of time.
10:35So, yeah, something really exciting. I guess I was daunted by the thought of it initially, but then the more we spoke about it, the more I was genuinely really excited.
10:46There's a lot on a rider's plate at the TT, you know, different bikes, often different teams for different classes.
10:52Add to that, being a co-owner and running your own team, how does that affect your focus?
10:56Is it something you just have to switch off to once you get to the course or how does it work?
11:00Well, for me, obviously, I've run my own PHR team for a few years, so I was kind of used to that.
11:06I'm really good at being able to switch off from things when I want to go riding.
11:10In fact, riding's like the nice bit. That's the bit away from all the rubbish that I have to deal with as running a team.
11:16It's going to be obviously a lot newer for Davey, but we just let the boys and girls crack on with what they're doing.
11:21You know, the hospitality runs itself, the team runs itself with the people that we've employed to run it.
11:26So we haven't really got that focus being pulled away from what we want to do as riders.
11:32I guess this question's more for you, Davey, but running your own team for the first time, has there been any hidden surprises?
11:38Yeah, to be honest, for me, pretty much everything is quite the shock at how much it costs.
11:43It's been a big shock, and of course, now we're in the position that, I guess, if we don't raise the money needed sponsorship-wise and everything to run us for the season,
11:56then it's only us that's going to suffer. We're not going to be riding.
11:58But having Peter by my side, and he's done it before and knows how it works, and it's taken more of a lead role with that.
12:08Well, we're talking a lot about partnerships and teamwork. I don't think there's any greater display of that in our racing than sidecars.
12:18810 Racing, you're going to field a sidecar TT2026? Who's driving? Who's on the side?
12:26Yeah, I'm going to drive. I'll put that in there now, just before you do.
12:31Yeah, I think I'm too tall to be a passenger, though. Physics, mate.
12:35I'm too scared to be a passenger. Lads, thanks so much for your time. The team looks great. You're both looking great out on course.
12:43Look forward to seeing some race results.
12:45Yeah, mate. Thank you.
12:49Yeah, well, that's going to be a fascinating dynamic to keep an eye on over the next week or so.
12:53After the break, we'll show you how Davey, Pete, and the rest got on in Superstock Qualify.
12:58Welcome back to the 2025 Isle of Man TT races, where local legend Connor Cummins returns for another crack some 19 years on from his debut, and despite a difficult time in 2024.
13:24Connor, it's great to see you lining up on the grid for TT25. 19 years since your TT debut. How would you describe the feeling and stage in your racing career right now?
13:41Erm, yeah. Cranky, when you say it like that, it sounds like it's been a long time, which it has.
13:45I've definitely got a lot of experience. Yeah, I've done the TT for 19 years. Crazy. That's crazy. But I feel good. I'm content with where I'm at.
13:54So, big changes for you this year. Moving to the Boroughs, engineering by RK Racing team after being with Paget since 2016.
14:02Erm, yeah, it's a complete change in scenery for me. New manufacturer with BMW and Ducati in the Supersport. I'm just looking to get going now and just have a good go.
14:13If we look at the Superbike and Superstock, you're going from a Honda to BMW. How are you feeling on the bike and what testing have you done ahead of TT?
14:22Yeah, we've done a reasonable amount of testing. Erm, we did a three-day test out in Spain and then we did some races in Northern Ireland as well.
14:31Just tried to get as much track time as possible. And, yeah, we've hit the ground running really. Erm, it's all building the whole thing up to being ready to tackle the TT course.
14:42So, I feel we're in a good position and it's just down to me now to have a go.
14:48Is it difficult for you as a rider having been on the same manufacturer for so long to then change for this year?
14:55What are the challenges that come with that? Erm, yeah, there is a challenge with doing what I've done.
15:02I'm still pushing for results. Erm, I probably stood still for a little bit and now I've made a big change to another team.
15:12Well, I think, I think it'll be OK. I think it'll be OK.
15:16As well as yourself, a lot of other competitors have made changes for this year. So, with that in mind,
15:22how do you find yourself against the competition for this year?
15:25Yes, it has been a bit of moving and shaking with teams and riders and everything.
15:30Erm, I think that in itself is going to bring something to the party.
15:35There's obviously going to be the key contenders.
15:38Michael last year was the most successful winner of all time.
15:43So, he's obviously going to start his favourite, I would say.
15:46Erm, and obviously there's Peter and Davey.
15:49But I think there's no, there's no sure bets, really.
15:53Erm, I want to win races. That's why I'm here.
15:56Erm, I don't want to waste anyone's time, really.
16:00Erm, I'm just going to do the best I can. I'm happy.
16:03I'm on the Isle of Man. It's my home race.
16:06I'm with a great team. I've got great sponsors. Erm, all my family and friends around me.
16:12So, I'll just go and give it my best shot and see where we finish up.
16:15Well, we wish you a brilliant result for this year's TT.
16:18And thank you for speaking to us, Connor.
16:25Well, perhaps Connor's biggest shot this year might come in the Superstock class.
16:29It's ordinary road bikes capable of extraordinary speeds.
16:32Here's Cam with more.
16:40Superstock. Well, the name says it all.
16:43This class is controlled by a strict list of technical regulations
16:46to ensure that these bikes remain as close as possible to how they leave the showroom floor.
16:52I'm here with Peter Hickman's 810 Racing BMW M1000RR.
16:58So, this bike remains pretty close to stock with the engine, chassis and wheels remaining unchanged.
17:05Some suspension upgrades, fork internals, externals remain standard.
17:10They bolt in a racing shock absorber, fit some lightweight bodywork and lightweight racing exhaust system.
17:17But apart from that, the bike remains relatively unchanged to how it leaves the dealership
17:24with a price tag of around £32,000.
17:28It's not cheap, but with an incredible level of performance on offer as standard.
17:33Over 200 horsepower at the tyre and top speed nudging 200 miles per hour.
17:39We have to keep in mind that the actual outright course record around the Isle of Man
17:45was set on a BMW M1000RR Superstock machine by Peter Hickman at over 136 miles per hour.
17:53So, the big bikes out on the roads for the first time this year.
17:59Then let's find out what went down in Superstock qualifying with Kohli.
18:02Straight out of the gates and on a high from last year's Superstock TT win,
18:15it was Davey Todd that set the pace with a 131.2 mile per hour lap.
18:20Though closely followed home by Dean Harrison breaking the beam one second slower than the leader
18:26after the 37.75 mile course.
18:31Rounding out the top three was Michael Dunlop also surpassing the famed 130 mile an hour benchmark
18:37and setting the stage for an exciting fortnight ahead.
18:40Dunlop joining the majority of the top seeds by switching to BMW machinery for 2025
18:45in both Superstock and Superbike classes.
18:48Grabbing the headlines however at the end of the first day of practice
18:51was Isle of Man TT newcomer Mitch Rees as he would set a 123 mile an hour benchmark
18:57in his Milan code by Patchett's Honda.
18:59The first day Superstock qualifying session saw a clash between Honda and BMW machinery and Friday was no different.
19:08Where Dean Harrison had just missed out on the top spot on day one,
19:12he and his CBR1000RR managed to eclipse long time rival Peter Hickman with our 132.853 mile an hour lap this time round.
19:21Hickie wasn't far behind also breaking into the 132 territory on his second lap closely followed by Davey Todd.
19:30The two out of ten racing teammates closed out the session separated by just seven tenths of a second
19:35after 17 minutes of flat out riding between the hedges of the Isle of Man.
19:41A single flying lap was enough for Michael Dunlop to manage a 130 mile an hour circulation.
19:46While the feel good story of 2025 is Ian Hutchinson's return to form.
19:51After a Northwest 200 podium, the MLAV racer now has his heart set on the TT podium.
19:57And being in the top five on Friday's running, a trophy is looking as likely as ever.
20:04Yeah, Dean looking really good and fastest overall on the stocker in Q2.
20:08When we come back from the break, we'll show you how he got on on his Superbike.
20:12Welcome back to the 2025 Isle of Man TT races where sporting stories of bravery and resilience extend way beyond the matter of who wins and who loses.
20:39And no story epitomises that ethic more than that of Ian Hutchinson, the so-called Miracle Man who's back in 2025 and ready to produce his latest mind bending trick.
20:51Classic stuff from Ian Hutchinson. He will justifiably be delighted with that.
20:58Huchy is absolutely flying. The grandstand in sight now as he comes along and it is going to be a win for Hutchinson.
21:05Ian Hutchinson, the Miracle Man. It's great to see you looking well and competing in TT25.
21:11I sort of didn't really know what I was going to do this year, but I still knew I was capable of riding.
21:18I've been having to work on the bike quite a lot myself, so it might be the first time you see the rider fueling his own bike and changing his back wheel.
21:26Wow. Well, the past few weeks have been tough, let alone the past few years.
21:35The 27th up onto the mountain and it's the mountain mile which has got the speed up the top here into the right hand.
21:41Oh! Huchy's down!
21:44Yeah. Ian Hutchinson, number four's gone down.
21:47It sort of all strings back to the crash here in 2017, but I sort of think I've done nothing since then.
21:54It's been a disaster since then. And to be fair, 18, I'd only had the frame taken off my leg.
22:00And then in 19, things were going really well and the first night of practice had a crash.
22:04And then we had COVID. My opportunity to come back to TT in 22, it had to work from it.
22:10So I went back to TAS on the BMW, everything that I wanted again, and had a crash at Snarton.
22:17Broke my collarbone and my shoulder went through the back of the shoulder blade.
22:22So I had to have all that screwed back together. And again, that was like a month before the TT.
22:27It was going to be a good year for everything in 23 until I had a stroke.
22:32The year that I had the stroke, that was in February, in September, back out in Spain, I got sepsis.
22:41I remember Googling sepsis because I didn't know what it was.
22:44I had to ring the buzzer and get the nurse in, who was Spanish, and try to translate, am I going to die?
22:50And then 2024, I had the incident with the brakes. That was my eight years of health.
22:56You mentioned before that if you didn't feel competitive, then you wouldn't take part in the TT.
23:05I love riding around here because I want to win here, and that's all I've ever wanted to do.
23:09Obviously, the situation in now, a podium would be good, but it still doesn't really mean anything to me.
23:14And I can look back to 2016, eight, nine years ago, I did a 133 standing start on a Superstop bike.
23:23If I did that last year, the first lap of the race in the Superstop race, I'd be one and a half seconds behind David Todd.
23:29And I did it eight years ago. My first goal is to do what I've done in the past.
23:34If I do what I've done in the past, there's not many other people that are doing that lap speed now.
23:42So good to see Hutchie looking happy again and ready to fight on all fronts, including in the Superbike class.
23:48Here's Cam with more.
23:50Superbike, the absolute pinnacle of performance.
23:59These are the machines with the most horsepower and the highest speeds.
24:03The bikes that riders dream of one day riding in the Superbike or Senior TT.
24:09Now, aesthetically, they may look close to the production bikes they're based on,
24:14but once you scratch the surface, the list is almost endless of performance upgrades.
24:20From engine internals to chassis, swing arm, electronics, gearbox, clutch, suspension wheels.
24:27It's all adjustable to help get that last bit of performance out of the machine.
24:33Typically, a Superbike will cost between £100,000 to £150,000 to build.
24:38That is if it can even obtain the parts that you find on these machines.
24:43What do you get for that?
24:44Well, around 250 horsepower at the tyre and a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour.
24:52The biggest difference with a Superbike really is the amount of adjustability,
24:57which is great when you're trying to shave those tents off every sector,
25:01but if you don't have a rider that can provide you with concise feedback,
25:05it's very easy to lose setup direction.
25:08So that's the Superbikes. Let's find out who could hit some super speeds during qualifying.
25:14It's been six years since Dean Harrison has stood on the top step of the TT podium.
25:27The Honda Racing rider still building on his number three Fireblade.
25:30The newly adopted Manxman would top the charts on day one,
25:34flying to a 133 mile per hour lap, the fastest ever on the opening night of TT qualifying.
25:41Yeah, honestly, you know, we made some changes then from yesterday and it's improved the bike a little.
25:45But still, I feel like there's a lot to go. There's a lot of place I'm rolling. I need to be full gas.
25:49Harrison was ahead of last year's Superbike TT winner Peter Hickman.
25:53Completing three laps of the course and managing a 131.07 six mile an hour lap,
25:59the number 10 BMW looked not only fast, but dialed in from day one.
26:04Despite only setting one lap time on his new 810 racing BMW M1000RR,
26:11Davey Todd was one of just three riders to break the 130 mile an hour barrier on the opening day of qualifying,
26:17as he looked to defend his senior TT from 12 months ago.
26:23The second Superbike session kicked off in beautiful condition, showing the Isle of Man at its best.
26:29And Davey Todd's first lap showed what the 810 BMW can do at its best,
26:34completing the TT course in an average speed of 132.673 from a standing start.
26:42Todd's teammate and 810 Racing co-owner confirmed the squad had paced across the board,
26:48sitting just behind on the number 10 BMW, lapping in 17 minutes and 14 seconds.
26:55The sunny conditions clearly favored local man Connor Cummins.
26:59He wheeled the number 11 Burrows Racing BMW to a 131 mile an hour lap time.
27:05Late on in the session, it would become a Manx 3-4 in Friday standings,
27:10as Nathan Harrison placed his number 19 H&H Racing Honda into P3.
27:16After just missing out on a big bike win in 2024,
27:20Michael Dunlop was clearly eager to get the laps in and also showed pace,
27:25jumping to P5 late on Friday's first session with 129.965.
27:31A change in schedule due to the inclement weather has meant that the Superbike class will be the first to go out in race trim for this year's TT.
27:39And here is how the leaderboard looks after the first of Friday's two qualifying sessions.
27:44So, Dean Harrison, fastest overall on the stocker, fastest on the Superbike.
27:50After the break, we'll show you if you could carry that form into the Supersports
27:54and stay tuned for a sensational start to the sidecars.
27:58Welcome back to the 2025 Isle of Man TT races, which as usual will feature a host of newcomers across all classes,
28:09but particularly in the sidecars, which is undergoing something of a change in a regard at the moment
28:14as true legends make way for exciting new prospects.
28:19The first couple of miles, it's just like a sensory overload.
28:36You come to the Isle of Man and it's just like going through your local village at 130 mile an hour
28:42and it just blows your mind.
28:44Yeah, it's almost hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it.
28:52You've always got to, like, passenger a lot differently when you're on the bike.
28:55In here, you want to be inside the bike as much as you can
28:58because you've got so much, like, embankments and walls, you know, you can't bounce off of.
29:02You know, with the trees and the walls and the pavements and the signs and, yeah,
29:07it's certainly something that I'll never forget in all the years I've been racing for sure.
29:11Is the Isle of Man TT something that you've always wanted to do or always aspired to do?
29:16You know, we finished third in the world twice and won a few Grand Prix's and stuff
29:20and raced at Spa and Le Mans and Red Bull Ring.
29:23And to not come here would be something that I would just regret for the rest of my life.
29:28British Championship regular but newcomer at the TT for this year, Kieran Clark.
29:37Can you tell us what it is about the TT that's brought you here to compete?
29:41I love circuit racing but the roads just give a massive different thrill.
29:45I remember watching Molly here in 2009 and I just thought to myself, I have to do it.
29:49And now you've got a few laps under your belt as a newcomer, what was that experience like?
29:55I'll be honest, the first experience was a bit sketchy.
29:58We had a couple of moments, one on Brandiwell, which sort of opened our eyes a little bit.
30:01I mean, you can do the British Championship, you can do the World Championship,
30:04but I think the TT is the biggest box you've got to tick.
30:07Anyone who hasn't been must come and must try it, definitely.
30:10But the biggest thing really is to just get a couple of finishes in and finish our Newcomers TT for the first time.
30:23How would you summarise your TT24?
30:26It's a dream come true, especially standing next to Dave Molyneux.
30:31It would take some time to get that feeling higher.
30:35But now newcomers are coming to the TT having watched you taking your first win last year.
30:40How does that make you feel?
30:42It's the pinnacle of our sport, it's the TT. It just takes a lot to get here.
30:46Like bravery and putting yourself out to do it, that's the hard bit.
30:51It's accepting you're going to do it.
30:53It makes me feel old.
30:56It's a privilege to be kind of at the top of your game
31:00and having people come and ask you for advice is an absolute privilege
31:05and, you know, we'll take it every shot we can and we'll take it with confidence.
31:09So lots of new faces to look out for in the sidecars this year.
31:23Then they could do a lot worse than grab a word of advice from our man,
31:2714 times sidecar TT winner Tom Burchill.
31:38The sidecar class, what's it all about?
31:41Three wheels, two people and one super special bike.
31:44Complete prototype this is, designed specifically for TT racing.
31:48You're coming at about 50,000 pounds at an average, 130 horsepower,
31:54powered by a 600cc Supersport engine.
31:57We've got about 220 kilo, we've got to work too.
32:00That's the minimum weight.
32:02One guy's on the throttle, clutch like a normal bike,
32:05but after that, it's different.
32:07Left foot is the brakes.
32:08Brakes on all three wheels.
32:10These things stop like you won't believe.
32:12Incredible g-force.
32:14Gears on the right foot, up and down like a normal selecting
32:17on a solo bike.
32:19The driver, he puts the bike away, wants it on the course,
32:21knows the line he wants to take.
32:23The passenger complements that by moving left,
32:26in the left turn, put his weight on the sidecar wheel
32:29to keep the bike nice and level to get a lovely line through.
32:31On the right, he's over the front,
32:33helping with the grip on the steering,
32:35and then working his way back for perfect driving acceleration out of the turn.
32:39Because these bikes are underpowered top speed,
32:41we're looking at about 160,
32:43so they've got to find that lap time somewhere.
32:45That comes in the corners.
32:46So if these guys aren't bang on in tune in time,
32:49you're not getting a race win,
32:50and you're not getting a lap record.
32:52So that's what it's all about.
32:53Teamwork.
32:57So the sidecar class dominated last year
32:59in Tom's absence by the Crow brothers.
33:01Let's find out if anybody could keep up with them in qualifying.
33:04Last year's sidecar TT signalled a changing of the guard,
33:15as Ryan and Callum Crowe took over the mantle from the dominant Birchall brothers.
33:19And the Manx pairing were keen to kick off 20-25's proceedings in similar form.
33:24A single time lap was enough to place the Crows at the top of the table on 118 mile an hour pace.
33:32Behind them, frequent frontrunners Peter Founds and Jevin Walmsley flew to second.
33:38Their AWB engineering outfit breaking the beam with a 115.4 mile an hour lap.
33:44Whilst Lee Crawford and Scott Hardy finished the day third in the standings aboard their team ARC outfit.
33:50For 2025 a new challenge to a sidecar competitors with qualifying counting towards starting positions.
34:00A difference from previous years where the top 20 starters took to Bray Hill in a predetermined order.
34:05So this last opportunity to set the stage for race week would prove crucial.
34:12Friday's qualifying session was a day for the history books in the sidecar class.
34:16Callum and Ryan Crowe set a new all-time sidecar qualifying lap record on lap one.
34:22With a 119.7 mile an hour tour of the TT course.
34:26And the Menx brothers then smashed it on their second lap with a 120.202.
34:35Pete Founds and Jevin Walmsley placed in second aboard the AWB engineering outfit.
34:40Whilst 14 times sidecar TT winner Ben Birchall and his new passenger Patrick Rosny.
34:45would complete the top three spots.
34:51Sensational start to the sidecars.
34:53The Crowe brothers looking good and with more to come as well over the next week or so.
34:57That's going to be fascinating to watch.
34:59We'll turn our attention though for now back to two wheels and the Supersport class.
35:03Nobody on our team knows this better than the 2019 TT winner Lee Jones.
35:07The Supersport class.
35:17Up until recent years this class has been 600cc 4 cylinder machines.
35:22That is not the case anymore.
35:24With bikes like this Ducati 955cc V twin.
35:28You've also got a Triumph 765 triple.
35:32All this is made possible with electronics.
35:34Therefore capping the horsepower and the torque in the motor.
35:38Most of these bikes with being capped with electronics are between 135 to 145 horsepower.
35:45This then ends up being really close racing.
35:48With manufacturers that previously would not be able to enter this class.
35:51These bikes are capable of speeds of up to 170 to 80 miles per hour.
35:56The cost of most of these bikes is between 40 and 60 thousand pounds.
36:08So a fascinating week or so ahead in the Supersport class then.
36:10Let's find out how things are shaping up after qualifying.
36:13For years now Michael Dunlop has been a specialist of the smaller Supersport class.
36:26And TT's winningest rider is showing no signs of slowing down.
36:30Despite switching to Ducati Machinery for 2025.
36:34He topped the standings on day one.
36:36Qualifying with a 127 mile an hour lap.
36:40Looking strong across several classes this year.
36:42Dean Harrison finished day one of Supersport qualifying in second place.
36:46But with a six second gap to Dunlop.
36:49James Hilliard completed the top three spots.
36:52Rounding the TT course with an average speed of 124.6 miles an hour.
36:57A Ducati, a Honda and a Kawasaki filling the top of the table.
37:02The opening days running went to display the class's remarkable variety in machinery.
37:07It didn't take long for Dunlop's day one time to be eclipsed on a warm and sunny Friday session.
37:16On his second lap out on the Honda CBR 600RR, Dean Harrison put in a 128 mile an hour lap.
37:23Not only leapfrogging the Supersport specialist to first place in the overall standings.
37:27But also breaking the Supersport qualifying lap record in the process.
37:31He's out now on the 600 and he's just done again.
37:33I think his quickest lap out on that 126 something.
37:36And again, he's really comfortable in there.
37:38Like I said, he's been riding that all year, if you like, back in BSV.
37:42And feeling really good, really strong.
37:44Despite a final 127.7 mile an hour bid to one up the Honda rider, Dunlop would eventually slow into the pits.
37:56Accepting second place in both the session and the overall standings.
38:00Third place would go to Peter Hickman on the Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance with a 127 mile an hour lap.
38:15Mostly followed by David Todd who, despite only setting one lap time on his Paget's Honda,
38:21broke into the realms of 126 miles an hour.
38:30Josh Brooks makes it three Hondas in the top five aboard his Jackson Racing CBR 600 RR.
38:44So, Dean Harrison looking good on the Supersport bike and in the Superstock class as well.
38:49Fastest overall so far, chaps.
38:51After two qualifying sessions here and looking like he's back to his best.
38:55He certainly does.
38:56You know, topping all three big bike classes.
38:59Setting a PB for him on a Honda in the Supersport class.
39:04And, you know, Honda are the most successful manufacturer in TT history.
39:08And we're used to being at the front.
39:10They've had a couple of lean years.
39:11So, I think paired with Dean, they're on their way back to their best.
39:15Yeah, it's so good to see as well.
39:18You know, everybody else in riding a BMW who's stronger this year's TT.
39:23So, it's brilliant to see Honda throwing it right in the mix there.
39:27And mixing it up.
39:28And that's what we want to see as spectators.
39:29You know, you want to see a different bike.
39:39Fair play to the guys.
39:40You know, he's the only guy who's riding the same bike for a second consecutive year.
39:46Everybody else has got something slightly different.
39:48So, it's brilliant that that partnership carries on.
39:50And a quick word, finally, on the Crows as well.
39:52Tom, they're really setting the benchmark in the side cars.
39:55Watching that lap just gave me goosebumps.
39:57I mean, I'm conflicted because they've took our qualifying lap record off us.
40:03But, you know, that's competition.
40:04That's what we like to see at TT.
40:05But they're so together, them guys.
40:08You know, they're working as a perfect unit.
40:10The bike and both riders together just make this perfect trio.
40:14It's amazing to see what they're doing.
40:16Well, we've not had much action out on the roads here this week.
40:19But what we have seen has been super fast.
40:22And there's lots more to come as well.
40:24Join us tomorrow for more qualifying action from the Isle of Man TT races 2025.
40:29In this evening's qualifying session, Peter Hickman crashed at Kerrow Moor, 21 miles into the course.
40:36And at the time, he was airlifted to Nobles Isle of Man Hospital, where he was reported as conscious and stable.
40:42We wish him all the best.
40:44We wish him all the best.
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