Isle of Man TT: Official Launch Round Up

The official launch of the 2019 Isle of Man TT took place last night at the Villa Marina theatre in Douglas. As to expected, there was plenty of breaking news announced at the event. Below are the major announcements from the solo classes.

Starting Order Revealed

The top ten seeded riders were revealed. Conor Cummins will once again be the first rider to receive the iconic shoulder tap, whilst last year’s Supersport Race 2 TT winner, Dean Harrison, has been promoted from fifth to starting second in 2019. John McGuinness will be released just ten seconds later, as he attempts to put the Norton on the podium for the first time since the marque returned to the TT.

All eyes will be focused on the returning Michael Dunlop. The Ballymoney man will launch his Tyco-BMW machine off the line from sixth place. Last year’s Superstock and Senior TT winner, Peter Hickman, completes the top ten seeds. The BSB rider is widely expected to be the favourite for the big bike races, having spent the winter further honing his road racing skills in New Zealand.  

Here’s the order in which they head off down Bray Hill in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races.

1. Conor Cummins
2. Dean Harrison
3. John McGuinness
4. Ian Hutchinson
5. James Hillier
6. Michael Dunlop
7. Gary Johnson
8. Michael Rutter
9. David Johnson
10. Peter Hickman

Honda RC213V-S Returns

For 2019 Michael Rutter has announced that he will be contesting the Superbike and Senior races on board the the Japanese manufacturer’s road legal MotoGP replica. Rutter has experience racing this machine before, having piloted the machine last year at the Macau Grand Prix.

The bike is no stranger to the TT course, having been piloted by the 13x winner Bruce Anstey for the Padgetts team back in 2016 and 2017.

“I’m really looking forward to riding it here this year. Got to try it at Macau at the end of last year, and to be honest with you, it’s just a dream to ride. So that will do the big bike races, then we’ll be back on the BMW stocker and with Ryan’s (Farquhar) team for the lightweights.”

“The TT is completely different now to when I started 25 years ago. The standard is just so high today. It’s a shame we can’t race in the rain anymore as that’s when I was always strongest. It’s much harder now to pick up a win or a podium, as there’s just so many top quality riders in every class. It’s what keeps me coming back each year.”

2019 marks the 25th year that the west midlander will be competing at the TT, once again with the Bathams team with whom he competes in the National Superstock 1000 championship.

KMR Kawasaki Confirm Four-Rider Entry

KMR Kawasaki, owned by former road racing champion Ryan Farquhar, announced that his team would be returning to contest the Lightweight TT, and with a four-rider stable. Multiple Irish road racing champion Derek McGee will spearhead the on-track efforts, and he will be targeting victory in the class having come so close in 2018 with second place.

McGee will have to be on top form just to be the best rider in the team as the likes of Lee Johnston, Michael Rutter and Gary Johnson have all been signed. Both Rutter and Johnston have previous experience of racing with the team at the North West 200 in recent years.

Davey Todd is Batley Bound

The fastest newcomer at the 2018 Isle of Man TT announced on stage that he would be riding for Clive Padgett’s Honda outfit for the two Supersport races. Todd will partner team stalwart, and Manx favourite, Conor Cummins in the 600cc class.

Having set the TT alight last year with his speed and consistency – finishing in the top 20 in every race, including a fastest lap averaging 127.268mph.

Speaking on stage, Todd described the move as “an incredible opportunity to make a serious impression on the top guns, and hopefully pick up my first podium or two.” The 23-year old also thanked his former team, Burrows Engineering Racing Team, for all they had achieved together in 2018.