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TT 2025 previews, yep, it’s gone that fast since last year’s, 117th year Anniversary event.
Roughly 56 to 57 riders feature within the big-bike races, the RST X D3O Superbike, Milwaukee Senior race contests.
16 nations are represented, an increase on last year whilst the bulk of the field, has previously on one or more occasion, registered 120-mph laps. Seeded riders wise, no less than 88 TT wins have been collected by those carrying start numbers 1-20.
Following blistering performances at the Briggs Equipment Northwest 200, Michael Dunlop heads to IOM shores bristling with confidence.
Armed with if paddock whispers are to be believed, World Superbike spec M1000RR BMW metal, he arguably has at his disposal, the plum 1000cc machine.
After last year’s agonising SBK victory near-miss, he’s super determined to put this right next month.
Those out to thwart his goals include the Monster Energy 8TEN Racing BMW rider/co-team owner pairing of Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.
Whilst opening BSB rounds have provided a range of tribulations, challenges, the Northwest 200 showed in full flight the potential of the roads’ scene goliaths M1000RR BMWs.
Same as Dunlop, both Hickman and Todd have an insatiable appetite for race wins, attaining historic TT feats.
1-2 finishes for 8TEN Racing during TT 2025? Don’t be surprised if this happens.
Don’t be surprised as well if Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison, adds to his TT wins resume, which presently stands at three.
Riding close to his absolute best at the Northwest 200, he was firmly the only non-BMW powered competitor to get close to race victories.
Fellow Manx resident Conor Cummins (BE/RK Racing) is hoping that switching to BMW equipment, will increase the chances of a long awaited first SBK, Senior TT glory.
Back on the NW200 podium for the first time since 2017, a reinvigorated Ian Hutchinson (MLav Racing BMW) proved earlier this month, that he’s gradually getting back to his best form.
As applicable to good-friend, 23 times winner John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK), the heady days of SBK race wins may possibly be behind him but you don’t overnight forget what is needed to claim top TT finishes and I’m sure countless fans, fellow racers, road racing aficionados would be delighted if he unlocks first big-bike podium finishes in this decade.
Second in last year’s Senior race, Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper Honda), is undeniably a TT winner in waiting.
The one big question mark regarding this topic, is does he have the right SBK package?
If aspects a plenty align, finds the right set-up, he could prove the one to spoil the victory aspirations of many mentioned above.
Others expected to be in the mix for impressive leader-board finishes include James Hillier (Muc-Off Racing Honda), fitness permitting Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan BMW), David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki), Michael Browne (MLav Racing BMW).
Seeded riders not highlighted yet are fans favourite Dominic Herbertson (HRRC Honda), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda), Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki), Phil Crowe (Crowe Performance BMW), Jim Hind (North Lincs Components), Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles) and the in-form Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper Honda).
Outside the seeded aces, ones to watch include Imatranajo King Erno Kostamo (RVS Motorsport BMW), Sam West, Amalric Blanc, Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau Racing BMW).
Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Honda), Julian Trummer (Lion Heart Moto Racing Kawasaki), AJ Venter (Future Exotics BMW), Stefano Bonetti (Speed Motor Honda), Darryl Tweed (Never Be Clever Racing Yamaha), Maurizio Bottalico (Crowe Engineering BMW).
James Chawke, fitness permitting Pierre Yves Bian and Lukas Maurer, Eddy Ferre, Jonathan Perry (Gordon Huxley Racing Honda), Joey ‘Yorkshire’ Thompson (Team Talk of The Town York Suzuki by Motul Oils).
Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing Yamaha), Loris Majcan, Michael Sweeney and WH Racing Powered by Dynobike’s Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
Newcomers sampling the six-lap Superbike, Senior races are New Zealand Superbike Champion Mitch Rees (Milenco by Padgetts) and experienced BSB exponent Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones by PHR Performance BMW).
Both have the core biking talent, aptitude, temperament to gave good accounts of themselves as they take on one of motorsport’s greatest challenges.
We all have our crystal balls, saying this will happen, that could happen, they will win, they won’t win but the TT is unique, there is so many variables, you’d be brave to predict with exact certainty race results.
Intriguing 1000cc TT races ahead, could tyre decisions play a part, overheating engines, shrewd decisions during pit-stops, we will all know very soon.
Photos by Mark Corlett, Derek Wilson, Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Those out to thwart his goals include the Monster Energy 8TEN Racing BMW rider/co-team owner pairing of Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.
Whilst opening BSB rounds have provided a range of tribulations, challenges, the Northwest 200 showed in full flight the potential of the roads’ scene goliaths M1000RR BMWs.
Same as Dunlop, both Hickman and Todd have an insatiable appetite for race wins, attaining historic TT feats.
1-2 finishes for 8TEN Racing during TT 2025? Don’t be surprised if this happens.
Don’t be surprised as well if Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison, adds to his TT wins resume, which presently stands at three.
Riding close to his absolute best at the Northwest 200, he was firmly the only non-BMW powered competitor to get close to race victories.
Fellow Manx resident Conor Cummins (BE/RK Racing) is hoping that switching to BMW equipment, will increase the chances of a long awaited first SBK, Senior TT glory.
Back on the NW200 podium for the first time since 2017, a reinvigorated Ian Hutchinson (MLav Racing BMW) proved earlier this month, that he’s gradually getting back to his best form.
As applicable to good-friend, 23 times winner John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK), the heady days of SBK race wins may possibly be behind him but you don’t overnight forget what is needed to claim top TT finishes and I’m sure countless fans, fellow racers, road racing aficionados would be delighted if he unlocks first big-bike podium finishes in this decade.
Second in last year’s Senior race, Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper Honda), is undeniably a TT winner in waiting.
The one big question mark regarding this topic, is does he have the right SBK package?
If aspects a plenty align, finds the right set-up, he could prove the one to spoil the victory aspirations of many mentioned above.
Others expected to be in the mix for impressive leader-board finishes include James Hillier (Muc-Off Racing Honda), fitness permitting Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan BMW), David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki), Michael Browne (MLav Racing BMW).
Seeded riders not highlighted yet are fans favourite Dominic Herbertson (HRRC Honda), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda), Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki), Phil Crowe (Crowe Performance BMW), Jim Hind (North Lincs Components), Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles) and the in-form Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper Honda).
Outside the seeded aces, ones to watch include Imatranajo King Erno Kostamo (RVS Motorsport BMW), Sam West, Amalric Blanc, Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau Racing BMW).
Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Honda), Julian Trummer (Lion Heart Moto Racing Kawasaki), AJ Venter (Future Exotics BMW), Stefano Bonetti (Speed Motor Honda), Darryl Tweed (Never Be Clever Racing Yamaha), Maurizio Bottalico (Crowe Engineering BMW).
James Chawke, fitness permitting Pierre Yves Bian and Lukas Maurer, Eddy Ferre, Jonathan Perry (Gordon Huxley Racing Honda), Joey ‘Yorkshire’ Thompson (Team Talk of The Town York Suzuki by Motul Oils).
Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing Yamaha), Loris Majcan, Michael Sweeney and WH Racing Powered by Dynobike’s Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
Newcomers sampling the six-lap Superbike, Senior races are New Zealand Superbike Champion Mitch Rees (Milenco by Padgetts) and experienced BSB exponent Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones by PHR Performance BMW).
Both have the core biking talent, aptitude, temperament to gave good accounts of themselves as they take on one of motorsport’s greatest challenges.
We all have our crystal balls, saying this will happen, that could happen, they will win, they won’t win but the TT is unique, there is so many variables, you’d be brave to predict with exact certainty race results.
Intriguing 1000cc TT races ahead, could tyre decisions play a part, overheating engines, shrewd decisions during pit-stops, we will all know very soon.
Photos by Mark Corlett, Derek Wilson, Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
