The top 20 seeded riders for the Monster Energy Supersport encounters at TT 2017, have today been announced.
Six times international road race winner Lee Johnston, holds the coveted number one plate for the first time. Proven on 600 machinery, General Lee is tipped by many for podium finishes with Jackson Racing’s CBR 600RR Honda.
11 times TT winner Bruce Anstey (Padgetts Racing) retains the number two plate. The flying Kiwi is an undoubted Supersport legend and cannot be discounted from adding to his already glittering haul of Mountain Course successes.
Next up at number three JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Hillier, has in recent years it’s fair to say surprised many with his top draw display’s in the middleweight class.
Perhaps more known for his big bike and Super Twin exploits, “Dynamite” is a dark horse for at least two more steps onto the podium in June.
Set to follow James down Glencrutchery Road is the dominant Supersport force in 2015 and 2016, Ian Hutchinson.
Remaining with Keith Flint’s Team Traction Control outfit, which runs this year under the new name of McAMS Yamaha, he starts for many as the foremost favourite in the four lap 600 races.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
The Yorkshireman will have a battle on his hands though for more victories, none more so from the Mountain Course lap record holder, Michael Dunlop.
Piloting like Hutchy, YZF R6 Yamaha machinery, Michael has proven time and time again, his prowess with 600 steeds.
He’s an obvious contender for wins, same applies to Gary Johnson (8) with his own teams 675 Daytona Triumph, Peter Hickman (10) who’s Smiths Racing Triumph will run in the striking TROOPER colours, and IC Racing/Caffrey International backed Irish roads Supersport champion William Dunlop (15).
Lots of attention will also be on Duke Road Race Rankings champion Dean Harrison, holder of the number nine plate, who is more than capable of battling for race honours aboard Silicone Engineering Racing’s new ZX-6R Kawasaki.
John McGuinness (5), Conor Cummins (7), Dan Kneen (14) and Josh Brookes (16) who is linked to join forces with Halsall Racing, are additional potential podium finishers.
Michael Rutter goes at number 11, followed by David Johnson and Radcliffe’s Racing’s Jamie Coward, who with the number 13 plate, has his highest start number to date within the Supersport class.
Finalising the top 20 starters are Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Steve Mercer (17), Martin Jessopp (18), McAdoo Kawasaki’s James Cowton (19) and former privateers champion Dan Cooper.
Outside of the seeded riders, additional notable start numbers include Michal Dokoupil (27), Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden (32), PRF Racing’s Dave “Salty” Sellers (35), Joe Akroyd (41) and Spain’s Raul Torras Martinez (81).
Mountain Course newcomers Paul Jordan and Joe Thompson hold the number 82 and 84 plates respectively.
Full re cap of the top 20 starters, for the 2017 Monster Energy Supersport TT Races:
1 Lee Johnston Jackson Racing
2 Bruce Anstey Padgetts Racing
3 James Hillier JG Speedfit Kawasaki
4 Ian Hutchinson McAMS Yamaha
5 John McGuinness Jackson Racing
6 Michael Dunlop MD Racing
7 Conor Cummins Padgetts Racing
8 Gary Johnson Triumph
9 Dean Harrison Silicone Engineering Racing
10 Peter Hickman Smiths Racing
11 Michael Rutter TBC
12 David Johnson TBC
13 Jamie Coward Radcliffe’s Racing
14 Dan Kneen TBC
15 William Dunlop IC Racing/Caffrey International
16 Josh Brookes TBC
17 Steve Mercer Dafabet Devitt Racing
18 Martin Jessopp Riders Motorcycles Triumph
19 James Cowton McAdoo Kawasaki
20 Dan Cooper TBC
Words by Stevie Rial