New Carole Nash ambassador Dean Harrison laid down an early marker at the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races, recording a staggering 133.925mph lap on his Honda Racing UK Superbike, the fastest lap ever seen in an opening qualifying session on the island, and he goes into the race week having topped both big bike leaderboards in practice.
The 37-year-old, a five-time TT winner, carried on where he left off at last year’s TT and signed off Friday afternoon’s fifth qualifying session with a staggering 135.484mph lap on his superstock specification Honda Fireblade, being a good 20 seconds a lap faster than his nearest rivals.
With Davey Todd out through injury this year, the TT’s ‘Big Four’ has become a ‘Big Three’ with Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman expected to be the main rivals to Harrison in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport categories, although former British superbike champion Josh Brookes looks like the man most likely to break the big names’ dominance, with the DAO Honda rider setting the third fastest lap in both 1000cc classes – posting a best of 132.220mph in superbike and 131.943mph in superstock. He’s in good shape to challenge for the podium in the races and perhaps take advantage of any bad luck befalling his rivals in the gruelling six-lap Superbike and Senior TTs.
TT G.O.A.T. Dunlop has had a tricky time on his big bikes in qualifying. Originally slated to ride a WorldSBK spec Ducati Panigale V4 R, the 33-time TT winner made a relatively late change to his trusty Honda superbike and BMW superstock machine, citing a lack of testing time as his reason. He’s been there or thereabouts in both classes throughout, without ever really looking happy with his equipment, although in the smaller capacity classes he once again looks almost unstoppable.
Fastest ahead of the two Monster Energy Supersport TTs and the Carole Nash Sportbike races, only mechanical failures have stopped him being unbeaten in the two middleweight classes since racing returned to the island in 2022, following the event’s two-year Covid enforced break. He’s top dog again and will start those four races as a clear favourite.
In supersport, Dunlop leads the way on the Ducati upon which he swept the board last year, ending qualifying 19 seconds ahead of Triumph-mounted Hickman and Honda man Harrison, who set near identical lap times, with Brookes fourth on a Suzuki GSX-R750. For the Sportbike TT, it’s Dunlop and his trusty Paton on top, almost 23 seconds clear of Aprilia mounted Irishman Mike Browne and Hickman, on his Swan Yamaha R7. With Brookes and Harrison sitting out the new-for-2026 class, Sportbike will certainly give some of the lesser lights a chance to shine.
Behind the four big names, there are a host of 130+mph riders capable of setting personal bests and upsetting the applecart. Veterans John McGuinness and Ian Huchinson, winners of 39 TTs between them, have impressed with both their speed and consistency, while the likes of Nathan Harrison, Jamie Coward, Dominic Herbertson and Mike Browne are all in with a shot at the top 10.
Despite glorious weather, qualifying week has not been without its challenges at the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races. Monday’s opening untimed practice session saw a motorcycle crash into the crowd on the exit of Parliament Square in Ramsey, injuring eight spectators, while the sidecars have been suspended following a number of high profile crashes which led to the hospitalisation of a number of competitors.
TT veteran Maria Costello and passenger Shaun Parker hit trouble on Tuesday, with driver Costello flown to Aintree hospital with head injuries, while the dominant Crowe brothers, Ryan and Callum, had a massive accident when their outfit flipped over the Crosby jump.
In a statement made on Thursday, the TT organisers said: “Following an incident involving a sidecar team during the third qualifying session of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races, the race organisation initiated an immediate technical and operational review to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident and the continued participation of the sidecar class at the event.
Following that review, in conjunction with the event promoter, a decision has been taken to suspend the sidecar class for the remainder of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races. This precautionary measure has been implemented in the interests of competitor and spectator safety and reflects the race organisation’s commitment to reviewing all aspects of event safety and operational delivery whenever an incident occurs.”
It was also announced on Thursday that newcomer Daniel Ingham had lost his life in an accident at Doran’s bend the previous evening. Although a newcomer to the TT, the 33-year-old from Leicestershire was no stranger to the Mountain Course, having been a Manx Grand Prix regular for almost a decade, the highlight being winning the prestigious Senior Manx Grand Prix in 2024. We pass on our deepest sympathy to Dan’s wife Helayna, his son Joey and daughter Phoebe, as well as his family and friends.
With the sidecars sidelined, race week will go ahead with eight solo races over six race days. Harrison goes into the big bike races as a strong favourite, while Dunlop as always is the man to beat on the smaller capacity supersport and sportbike machinery. Fans will also see filming for the upcoming Hollywood movie Isle of Man taking place on the circuit and around the paddock, with the fictional riders and teams utilising the legendary course between sessions.
After a week of glorious weather for practice and qualifying, the forecast is less positive for the races – with rain expected every day – but whatever happens the riders and fans will be ready for the 115th running of the most iconic motorcycle race in the world.
We can’t wait!
Photos: Impact Images
