The Isle of Man TT Races has confirmed a revised race programme for the remainder of the 2026 event, designed to maximise track time based upon the latest weather forecasts.
After a week of glorious sunshine during practice, the weather has taken a turn for the worst in race week. Saturday’s opening RL360 Superstock TT was postponed, and although the RST Superbike TT took place over a full six-laps as planned on Sunday, only a three-lap Monster Energy Supersport TT was able to dodge the rain on Tuesday.
Unsettled weather is expected again on Thursday, a planned rest day, but organisers have said that the postponed Superstock TT will be run if conditions allow. It’s provisionally in for an 11:45 start but if, as expected, the weather gods don’t permit, the race will be cancelled for this year – with all prize money distributed equally between qualified riders.
Friday is expected to bring better weather and a four-lap Milwaukee Senior TT has been slated for a 16:15 start. The Senior is the TT’s showcase race and historically run over six-laps to close the event. Having been cancelled due to weather conditions last year, organisers are keen to avoid a repeat in 2026. The scheduling should give the blue riband race the best possible chance to go ahead safely.
Part of the reason for cutting the Senior to four laps is to allow a packed day of racing on Friday. The day should start at 11:45 with the second Monster Energy Supersport TT, trimmed by one lap to three laps again, before the first Carole Nash Sportbike TT, run over two laps, flags off at 14:15.
Saturday’s forecast isn’t looking great, but the day originally scheduled to host the Senior TT will see three-lap Sportbike and Superstock TTs take place if the rain holds off. If it doesn’t, these will be moved back to Sunday – with racing from 13:30.
According to TT organisers, the revised schedule “follows detailed consideration of forecast conditions, competitor mileage, operational readiness, road closure requirements and the safe delivery of racing across the Mountain Course.”
While the likelihood of racing taking place on Thursday is currently considered low, race control has retained a provisional programme for the day to ensure that any opportunity presented by an improvement in conditions can be utilised to save the first Superstock TT. A final decision regarding Thursday's activity will be taken on in the morning, following further consultation between the Clerk of the Course and the Isle of Man Met Office.
Gary Thompson MBE BEM, Clerk of the Course, explained the decisions in more detail, saying: "Following the disruption we have experienced throughout the event, we have continued to review every available option to maximise the opportunities for racing, while ensuring the delivery of the race programme to the safest possible conditions remains our primary consideration.
"The revised programme has been developed to give us the strongest possible opportunity to complete the remaining races, while also protecting the delivery of the Senior TT as the headline race of the event.
"Although the latest forecast suggests the likelihood of racing on Thursday is currently low, we will continue to monitor conditions closely and make a final decision on Thursday morning following further consultation with the Met Office.
"We recognise the disappointment that disruption causes for competitors, teams, marshals, residents and fans, and I would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and continued support throughout the event."
