RE: IoM TT 2016 - runners and riders

RE: IoM TT 2016 - runners and riders

Sunday 5th June 2016

IoM TT 2016 - runners and riders

PH2's form guide to how the big names are shaping up ahead of the 2016 TT



After a full week of sunny practice, and with the promise of an uninterrupted week of racing, the 2016 TT looks set to be an absolute cracker. Not only is there a 500GP two-stroke on the grid, there is a V4 Honda MotoGP replica and a host of superbikes already on lap record pace due to the unusually long set-up time. The big questions now on everyone's lips are could we see the first 133mph lap and will Bruce Anstey race the RCV? And was he sandbagging when he set that 129mph average lap in practice...

All eyes will be on Anstey and the RCV
All eyes will be on Anstey and the RCV
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.

Hutchinson looks on top form
Hutchinson looks on top form
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.

Michael Dunlop
Michael Dunlop
John McGuinness
John McGuinness
   
   


Author
Discussion

D200

Original Poster:

514 posts

146 months

Friday 3rd June 2016
quotequote all
Cannot wait to watch this on itv4 - the coverage is great.


V8 FOU

2,970 posts

146 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Looks like it could be a cracking one this year!
Can't wait for tonight.....

Enda78

40 posts

102 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Pretty good super bike race to kick things off!

generationx

6,645 posts

104 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
I can't believe it's twelve years since I last went to the TT - it used to be an annual pilgrimage, I even got engaged there. Will be glued to ITV4 nightly, the coverage is excellent.

TheLuke

2,218 posts

140 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
Anyone know when MH's Subaru run is on? and what channel (If it is even on TV)


Enda78

40 posts

102 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
10th June I think.

wormus

14,509 posts

202 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
TheLuke said:
Anyone know when MH's Subaru run is on? and what channel (If it is even on TV)
He's practicing tonight.

The Vambo

6,643 posts

140 months

Saturday 4th June 2016
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I wasn't but 4 mins in and he has just been run over and I'm opening a bottle of Thatchers thumbup Ta.