IoM TT 2016 - runners and riders
PH2's form guide to how the big names are shaping up ahead of the 2016 TT
Who to watch
After last year's amazing Senior, there are a number of riders who are more than in with a shout of TT success. The leading names are the usual crowd of John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, James Hillier, Conor Cummins, Dean Harrison and Bruce Anstey (no Guy this year) but you can't write off the likes of Lee Johnston, David Johnson, Michael Rutter, William Dunlop or Cam Donald. It's an open field but you have to look towards McGuinness, Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson as the front runners, especially after practice.
Who's leading the way
After a disaster (by his standard) last year, Michael Dunlop threw his cards on the table during last night's practice. Back with Hawk on a BMW S1000RR, Dunlop clocked a 132.36mph lap, which is the fastest so far! Only just behind him was Hutchy, who is now also on a BMW after swapping from Kawasaki.
Last year was Hutchy's TT and this year he looks even stronger, clocking a 131.66mph lap in practice. Snapping at their heels was, typically, John McGuinness with a 131.12mph lap. McG proved he is far from over the hill in last year's Senior and the talk is that Honda have squeezed a few more ponies out of the aging Fireblade. But what of Bruce Anstey and that RCV?
Team boss Clive Padgett has given Bruce the option of running either the RCV or the Fireblade in both the Superbike and Senior TT races and, as always, Bruce is the dark horse in the field. In practice Anstey set a 129mph average lap on the RCV, which is amazing considering its lack of development, but he slowed down during that lap and was certainly going to go much faster. Did he slow down to keep his powder dry or did he really have a slight issue? We will soon find out...
When is the racing?
Racing starts on Saturday June 4 and, considering the fine weather, it should run to the following schedule:
Saturday: 1100h - Superbike TT, 1400h - Sidecar TT
Monday: 1045h - Supersport TT race one, 1345h - Superstock TT
Wednesday: 1045h - Supersport race two, 1345h - Lightweight TT, 1625h - TT Zero
Friday: 1015h - Sidecar TT race two, 1245h - Senior TT
You can listen to the races live on Manx Radio and ITV4 will be showing the races at 9pm either on the day of the race or the day after. The Senior will be shown at 2215h.
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