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Following a fair weather induced qualifying week, the 2025 Manx Grand Prix race opener, the four-lap, 51-rider Super Twins bout promised close, keenly fought battles for the podium.
On schedule at 10:15 AM, competition blasted off with 2018 Newcomers (B) race winner Michael Rees getting the tap on the shoulder.
Lap One:
In perfect conditions, the first ten starters all made Glen Helen in below 5 minutes 11 seconds.
Getting the early jump on the field was qualifying week leader Lewis Arrowsmith, leading Jamie Williams by 3.23 seconds. Michael Gahan, Michael Rees, Toby Shann, Liam Chawke completed the top six.
At Ballaugh Bridge, former No Limits Racing Champion Arrowsmith, lead expanded over Williams but was down to 2.3 over new second place attainer, Scott Racing’s Gahan.
Limavady’s Gahan, then took P1 reigns at Ramsey whilst JLG/NCE Racing’s Williams third, moved to within 1.676 of Arrowsmith.
Through the Bungalow, Cronk ny Mona, the start finish stretch, the top three remained in tight proximity.
As lap one ended, Arrowsmith (114.238) had regained the race lead with Gahan (114.146) +0.962 behind, Williams (113.774) in third +3.888 further back.
Cowton Racing’s Shann (113.32) fourth was 4.789 behind Williams, Sulby Speed Trap leader KMR Kawasaki’s Chawke (113.141) held fifth, twice class winner Andy Farrell (113.022) slotted into sixth.
Lap Two:
After mandatory pit-stops, RS660 Aprilia runner Arrowsmith, added a fair chunk to his P1 advantage at Glen Helen, moving 5.523 seconds clear of Gahan.
Next timing sector, Ballaugh Bridge saw Gahan nibble marginally into Arrowsmith’s P1 ownership, trimming the four-plate holder’s-lead to 4.866 seconds.
With Belgian Twin Trophy front-runner Williams dropping time now embroiled in a four-rider scrap for third, it was looking like a straight fight for victory honours between Arrowsmith and Gahan, separated by 3.67 seconds as both sped through Ramsey Hairpin.
Ryan Garside, David Thomas, Salvatore Sallustro were confirmed retirements as third, final lap action entered fruition.
At lap two’s conclusion, Arrowsmith had taken time out of Gahan at the Bungalow, Cronk ny Mona to expand his race-lead to 6.715 seconds.
Williams was usurped for third by York’s Shann with Chawke only 0.062 adrift of Williams.
Caomhan Canny obtained sixth, Farrell dropped back to seventh with Alex Sinclair, Allspeeds Racing’s Harley Rushton, P1 plate carrier Rees eighth to tenth.
Lap Three:
First on the road by Glen Helen, Arrowsmith was looking calm, cool out front albeit the race-lead was back to a shade in-excess of six seconds.
Shann maintained third but was only 1.4 to the good over newly fourth placed Chawke.
The race for victory gained intensity at Ballaugh Bridge as Gahan got Arrowsmith’s lead down to under 3.5 seconds.
Just 1.888 behind at Ramsey Hairpin Gahan was building momentum, could he grab the race win away from Arrowsmith?
Answer no as cruel luck thwarted Gahan, encountering fuelling issues, having closed to within below 0.9 of eventual race winner Arrowsmith.
Arrowsmith (final lap – lap speed – 115.357) finished victorious by 18.493 seconds with Shann in second joining him as a first time Manx GP rostrum finisher.
Williams gaining a tow from Arrowsmith completed the podium, Chawke was fourth with Canny, Rushton setting the race’s fastest lap (115.4) fifth, sixth.
Sinclair, top newcomer Eddy Wormald placed seventh, eighth, Farrell took ninth with another debutant Grant Thomson wrapping up the first ten finishers.
Post Race Reaction:
Lewis Arrowsmith
“We’ve worked so hard, not just me, Sally, the kids, lads with us for months, years, you just work your a**e off and it’s happened finally, dream come true.”
“Can’t wait to get out there again, just love riding that bike around here, it’s brilliant to ride a Twin around here, they are so much fun, you can just push them all the way, they are brilliant.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Lap Three:
First on the road by Glen Helen, Arrowsmith was looking calm, cool out front albeit the race-lead was back to a shade in-excess of six seconds.
Shann maintained third but was only 1.4 to the good over newly fourth placed Chawke.
The race for victory gained intensity at Ballaugh Bridge as Gahan got Arrowsmith’s lead down to under 3.5 seconds.
Just 1.888 behind at Ramsey Hairpin Gahan was building momentum, could he grab the race win away from Arrowsmith?
Answer no as cruel luck thwarted Gahan, encountering fuelling issues, having closed to within below 0.9 of eventual race winner Arrowsmith.
Arrowsmith (final lap – lap speed – 115.357) finished victorious by 18.493 seconds with Shann in second joining him as a first time Manx GP rostrum finisher.
Williams gaining a tow from Arrowsmith completed the podium, Chawke was fourth with Canny, Rushton setting the race’s fastest lap (115.4) fifth, sixth.
Sinclair, top newcomer Eddy Wormald placed seventh, eighth, Farrell took ninth with another debutant Grant Thomson wrapping up the first ten finishers.
Post Race Reaction:
Lewis Arrowsmith
“We’ve worked so hard, not just me, Sally, the kids, lads with us for months, years, you just work your a**e off and it’s happened finally, dream come true.”
“Can’t wait to get out there again, just love riding that bike around here, it’s brilliant to ride a Twin around here, they are so much fun, you can just push them all the way, they are brilliant.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
