By Hardy event stalwarts, overseas aces, rising talents feature in the first twenty starters line-up for this year’s Super Twins based, Junior Manx Grand Prix.
The competitor given the chance, to hold the No.1 plate is podium finisher in 2023, European Hill Climb Superbike Champion Maurizio Bottalico.
In contrast to last year, Bottalico won’t be Paton powered instead astride Kawasaki’s reputable ER6 model.
Number two plate wise, it’s VAS Engine Racing’s Andrea Majola (S1-R Paton) starting ten seconds in arrears behind fellow Italian Bottalico.
‘Tommy Club’ member Dan Ingham carries the P3 plate, respective four, six start numbers go to 2018 Newcomers B race winner Michael Rees (S1-R Paton), the Isle of Man’s only IRRC participant, NCE Racing’s Jamie Williams (Z650 Kawasaki).
Ending the first ten starters are Roadhouse Macau Racing’s Eoin O’Siochru, who was set to make his TT debut this year before injuries from an incident at the Northwest 200, Alex Sinclair (RS 660 Aprilia -, Jacque Foley (Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments) and Cowton Racing’s Paul Marley.
Jason Corcoran (JRC Racing – 11-plate), the Isle of Wight’s top roads speedster Ryan Whitehall (12-plate), Michael Gahan (13-plate), Julien Cregniot (Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments – 14-plate) will be looking to capture good results as will Stuart McCann (N&G Racing – 15-plate), Mike Mace (16-plate).
Completing the group of riders assigned plates one to twenty are Wayne ‘Ciderman’ Axon (TART Racing – 17-plate) and Darran Creer (Rob Brew/Meditech Dental IOM – 20-plate).
Additional pilots aiming to impress in the Manx GP Supporters club Junior race, include Liam Chawke, who has the support of Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team, Mountain Course debutants Ryan Garside, Toby Shann (Cowton Racing) and Liam Thornton.
Class winner on two occasions in 2018, Skerries Andy Farrell, was due to carry the five-plate but is now a confirmed non-starter.
Junior Manx Grand Prix – first twenty starters re-cap:
1 – Maurizio Bottalico
2 – Andrea Majola
3 – Dan Ingham
4 – Michael Rees
6 – Jamie Williams
7 – Eoin O’Siochru
8 – Alex Sinclair
9 – Jacque Foley
10 – Paul Marley
11 – Jason Corcoran
12 – Ryan Whitehall
13 – Michael Gahan
14 – Julien Cregniot
15 – Stuart McCann
16 – Mike Mace
17 – Wayne Axon
20 – Darran Creer
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
