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Perpetually considered the most prized race for manufacturers, expect intense competition of the highest echelon, when in relation to 2025 Superstock vibed Mountain Course thrills.
The contest for race honours in next month’s three-lap race tilts, looks likely being Honda vs BMW with the odd Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha in the fight for forthright finishes.
Clear-cut pre-race favourites include 2019 class runner-up, Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison.
Three times TT winner Harrison, looked in excellent fettle across the Northwest 200, taking second in both Superstock races.
A first stock 1000 TT victory? Possible, extremely possible, both but the Bradford rider is only too aware of the elite opposition.
As in all classes, Michael Dunlop (MD Racing – M1000RR BMW) is certain to be formidable.
It’s eleven years since his last production 1000 TT triumph, when at the time he made it three category wins in four years.
Victory in the opening Superstock Northwest 200 race, was proof he has the prime equipment in place and his respected rivals know, if all aspects combine sweetly, it’s going to take superhuman efforts to beat him.
Sixteen times TT winners combined, Monster Energy 8TEN Racing BMW’s Davey Todd and Peter Hickman, same as Dunlop only have eyes on P1 attainments.
Although still in the relatively early stages of operating their newly formed, own team project, positive NW200 race explorations, were a sure sign that their steeds are in good shape, capable of propelling them to more P1 TT finishes.
Those targeting ending the hegemony 1000cc TT racing period of Todd, Hickman, Harrison and Dunlop include the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ Conor Cummins (BE/RK Racing BMW).
One can only imagine the reaction across the Isle of Man, if he achieves his long-awaiting TT victory ambition.
MLav Racing’s rejuvenated Ian Hutchinson should be back in the mix for top five, podium finishes.
Others with these aspirations include Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper’s Josh Brookes, James Hillier (Muc-Off Racing Honda), Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki’s David Johnson.
Michael Browne (KTS Racing Powered by Stanley Stewart), Dominic Herbertson, John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK) and Paul Jordan.
Sticking in extra depth to the stock 1000 field include Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Honda), Sam West, Phil Crowe, Jim Hind, Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda).
Nathan Harrison, Marcus Simpson, Brian McCormack, Joe Yeardsley (Scott Racing Aprilia), Michael Sweeney (Martin Jones Racing BMW).
Team Classic Suzuki vaulted Shaun Anderson, Darryl Tweed, Joey Thompson, James Chawke, new author Michael ‘Jack’ Russell, Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing Yamaha).
Matt Stevenson, newcomer Barry Burrell, Stephen Parsons (SPR Racing), Rhys Hardisty (Never Be Clever Racing Yamaha), Barry Furber (DC Motorcycles Newtown Honda) and Jonathan Perry (Gordon Huxley Racing Honda), Tom Robinson (Pete Stacey Racing Yamaha).
Non-UK, Irish, IOM riders competing include Lion Heart Moto Racing’s Julian Trummer, Erno Kostamo (RVS Motorsport BMW), Maurizio Bottalico, Eddy Ferre (Optimark Road Racing), team-mate Jonathan Goetschy, Parker Transport Racing’s Andrea Majola.
Stefano Bonetti, AJ Venter (Future Exotics BMW), the returning Lukas Maurer, Amalric Blanc and debutant, New Zealand Superbike Champion Mitch Rees (Milenco by Padgetts Honda).
Record-breaking, history making Superstock races in prospect? If everything falls into place, it’s a definite yes, however the forecast for qualifying week could dampen this probability.
No matter the situation in terms of available pre-races track time, riveting, absorbing Royal London 360, Opul Superstock tussles are in prospect.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson, Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
A first stock 1000 TT victory? Possible, extremely possible, both but the Bradford rider is only too aware of the elite opposition.
As in all classes, Michael Dunlop (MD Racing – M1000RR BMW) is certain to be formidable.
It’s eleven years since his last production 1000 TT triumph, when at the time he made it three category wins in four years.
Victory in the opening Superstock Northwest 200 race, was proof he has the prime equipment in place and his respected rivals know, if all aspects combine sweetly, it’s going to take superhuman efforts to beat him.
Sixteen times TT winners combined, Monster Energy 8TEN Racing BMW’s Davey Todd and Peter Hickman, same as Dunlop only have eyes on P1 attainments.
Although still in the relatively early stages of operating their newly formed, own team project, positive NW200 race explorations, were a sure sign that their steeds are in good shape, capable of propelling them to more P1 TT finishes.
Those targeting ending the hegemony 1000cc TT racing period of Todd, Hickman, Harrison and Dunlop include the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ Conor Cummins (BE/RK Racing BMW).
One can only imagine the reaction across the Isle of Man, if he achieves his long-awaiting TT victory ambition.
MLav Racing’s rejuvenated Ian Hutchinson should be back in the mix for top five, podium finishes.
Others with these aspirations include Jackson Racing Powered by Prosper’s Josh Brookes, James Hillier (Muc-Off Racing Honda), Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki’s David Johnson.
Michael Browne (KTS Racing Powered by Stanley Stewart), Dominic Herbertson, John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK) and Paul Jordan.
Sticking in extra depth to the stock 1000 field include Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Honda), Sam West, Phil Crowe, Jim Hind, Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda).
Nathan Harrison, Marcus Simpson, Brian McCormack, Joe Yeardsley (Scott Racing Aprilia), Michael Sweeney (Martin Jones Racing BMW).
Team Classic Suzuki vaulted Shaun Anderson, Darryl Tweed, Joey Thompson, James Chawke, new author Michael ‘Jack’ Russell, Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing Yamaha).
Matt Stevenson, newcomer Barry Burrell, Stephen Parsons (SPR Racing), Rhys Hardisty (Never Be Clever Racing Yamaha), Barry Furber (DC Motorcycles Newtown Honda) and Jonathan Perry (Gordon Huxley Racing Honda), Tom Robinson (Pete Stacey Racing Yamaha).
Non-UK, Irish, IOM riders competing include Lion Heart Moto Racing’s Julian Trummer, Erno Kostamo (RVS Motorsport BMW), Maurizio Bottalico, Eddy Ferre (Optimark Road Racing), team-mate Jonathan Goetschy, Parker Transport Racing’s Andrea Majola.
Stefano Bonetti, AJ Venter (Future Exotics BMW), the returning Lukas Maurer, Amalric Blanc and debutant, New Zealand Superbike Champion Mitch Rees (Milenco by Padgetts Honda).
Record-breaking, history making Superstock races in prospect? If everything falls into place, it’s a definite yes, however the forecast for qualifying week could dampen this probability.
No matter the situation in terms of available pre-races track time, riveting, absorbing Royal London 360, Opul Superstock tussles are in prospect.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson, Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
