2025 Isle of Man TT riders and teams

Rob Hodson continues with SMT Racing

Updated: Thursday 10^th April. Rob Hodson will link up with SMT Racing for a third successive TT fortnight, competing in all eight solo races across the four classes.

The team will enter an ex-Michael Dunlop Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the Superbike and Senior races, with a similar 1000cc Honda for the two Superstock races. The Wigan rider will campaign a Yamaha R6 in the two Supersport races, before rounding out his participation aboard a Paton S1-R in the Supertwin category.

Hodson enjoyed a career best result of fifth in the Supertwin race back in 2023, the first year he joined forces with the SMT Racing outfit. He also set a personal best lap of 130.327mph on his way to tenth in the Senior TT that same year.

The 2024 TT was less successful for Hodson, suffering a fall in practice at Whitegates. Despite the setback, he was still able to secure four top 15 results, including seventh in the second Supertwin race despite having to start from the rear of the field after his Paton refused to start.

“Overall, I was pleased with last year’s results as it was another solid week of riding,” said Hodson. “We had the off in qualifying and, of course, poor weather, so I perhaps didn’t make as much progress as I would have liked but four top 15 finishes are nothing to be sniffed at.

“One of the most pleasing aspects about the year ahead is continuing with SMT Racing for a third year; we’ve had a good couple of years already so 2025 will hopefully be more of the same. I’m also looking forward to having my first TT on a full-blown Superbike thanks to the team purchasing the bike from Hawk Racing. We ran it at the Macau Grand Prix in November, so I already have a few miles under our belt.

“We’ve a good set up across the classes and I’ll be aiming to get back in amongst the top ten and 130mph+ laps in the big bike races. Whilst running four bikes this year will bring its own challenges, if I can make progress on them all, we’ll have another good TT so that’s the clear aim.”

Dominic Herbertson and Paul Jordan confirm Supertwin rides

Updated: Tuesday, 8^th April. Two front runners in the Supertwin category have confirmed their entries for this year’s 700cc twin-cylinder races.

Paul Jordan will continue his partnership with Jackson Racing and will once again lead the field from the #1 starting position aboard an Aprilia RS660. He achieved his first ever TT podium in 2022’s single Supertwin race and will spearhead Jackson Racing’s first appearance in the Supertwin category.

Meanwhile, Dominic Herbertson has been signed by Melbray Racing, which will enter a Paton S1R in the Supertwin races as it makes its debut at the Isle of Man TT. Herbertson has been a regular entrant in the Supertwin category since his TT debut in 2014, and now has no fewer than six top ten results in the class to his name.

His 2024 campaign was something of a breakout for the tree surgeon, taking his first TT podium in the opening 700cc encounter. His fastest lap of 121.539mph makes him the sixth fastest Supertwin rider in history.

“I’m really looking forward to riding for Melbray Racing in the two Supertwin races at this year’s TT,” said Herbertson. “They’re a small team, but a great bunch of people, and I’m hoping to have the same results or better in this class than I had at last year’s TT.”

The announcement confirms Herbertson’s entry to the TT this year after the withdrawal of WTF Racing. While new to the TT, Melbray Racing does have Mountain Course experience, having entered the Manx Grand Prix in 2024 with Herbertson and Goodwood Revival regular, Glen English. Herbertson took a solid seventh aboard a Manx Norton in the Senior Classic, and English finished second aboard a K4 Honda in the concurrently run Classic Junior race.

Nathan Harrison to compete under H&H Motorcycles banner, WTF Racing withdraw

Updated: Friday 4^th April. Nathan Harrison will return to the Isle of Man TT for a third time this year as he competes for H&H Motorcycles, an official satellite team of Honda Racing UK.

The 26-year-old, who has tasted victory in both the Senior and Junior Manx Grand Prix, will compete aboard a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races, and a Honda CBR600RR in the two Supersport challenges.

Having made an impressive debut in 2022, a dream deal with Honda Racing UK was put on hold in 2023 following an injury at the North West 200. Finally getting to don the iconic red, white and blue colours of the works team last year, Harrison focussed on the 1000cc races, improving his personal best lap times and scoring an impressive seventh place in the Senior TT.

“Riding for the official Honda Racing UK team these last two years has been a tremendous experience and whilst there’s no denying that I would have liked the results to have been better, I’ve learnt so much,” said Harrison. “Through the relationships forged, not least with Harv [Havier Beltran, Honda Racing UK team manager], who supported me greatly and continues to do so, I’m pleased to have retained Honda’s support.”

Although no longer an official factory rider, Harrison will continue to receive support from the works team, with Honda UK building and supplying two Superstock machines and parts for his Supersport bike.

The goal for the local hero is to be seeded for the 2025 races, hoping to continue learning from those in the early starting positions.

“My TT career’s still very much in its infancy and I’ve plenty of years ahead of me, but I know in my head what I’m capable of. I’m not going to reach the level of Hicky, Michael or Davey this year, but the aim is to bridge the gap to that next group. The likes of John [McGuinness], James [Hillier] and Jamie [Coward] are my next benchmark so we’ll see what we can do.”  

Relating to James Hillier, questions have been cast over his participation in this year’s TT following the shock withdrawal from racing for both his WTF Racing squad and the OMG Racing British Superbike team.

“My phone’s been pretty crazy since Tuesday afternoon when the news was released,” said Hillier, in an update posted to his Instagram account. “That was honestly a big shock, I didn’t really see it coming; it’s not great timing, especially on April Fools’ Day. I wished it was a joke but unfortunately it isn’t.

“Where I stand at the minute I don’t quite know, it’s a work in progress to try and sort some machinery and get something in place. We’ve not got a whole lot of time, we were supposed to be on the new bikes this coming weekend in Spain testing. That’s now not happening so we have to work something out, get something in place but I will share what I can with you when I can.

"Hopefully in the coming days we’ll have some good news, but I need to get my thinking hat on and get raising some funds. That’s going to be the biggest thing, funding the operation, which certainly in today’s economic climate is not easy.”

Crowe brothers take #1 plate as more privateer solos confirmed

Updated: Wednesday 2^nd April. Ryan and Callum Crowe will lead the road at the 2025 Isle of Man TT Races, it was confirmed at a team launch event at the Victory Cafe at the iconic Bungalow on Snaefell mountain.

The brothers took victory in both sidecar contests in 2024, including becoming the second fastest pairing in TT history with a speed of 120.335mph. The outfit will be decked out in Jackson Racing colours, but the biggest focal point will be the gold number one on the nose, moving up from the number three spot last year. Further details on the team and their competitors will be announced in due course.

Elsewhere, a handful of riders have confirmed their entries for the upcoming TT fortnight. Mark Goodings, a former Welsh Open winner, has opted to switch to a BMW S1000RR in the Superbike and Superstock classes across the road racing season, starting with the Cookstown 100 and North West 200 before the TT. He is also planning to enter the Tandragee 100, select meetings at Oliver’s Mount and competing at Aberdare Park in Wales. Entries in other categories are still to be confirmed.

Tom Robinson will also return to the TT following his 2024 debut. The Stockton-on-Tees rider will return to the Snaefell Mountain Course with his Yamaha R1 in the 1000cc races, where he will aim to improve on his best result of 25^th last year.

Finally, TH Racing has confirmed it will double its entries for 2025, with James Chawke and South African AJ Ventner lined up to compete aboard Honda CBR600RR machinery in the Supersport races. Ventnor also competed for the team in the Supertwin races last year aboard a Kawasaki, achieving a best result of ninth in the opening race.

Machinery continuity for Shaun Anderson at TT 2025

Updated: Thursday 20^th March. Shaun Anderson will continue with Suzuki and Honda machinery in the two big bike classes at the 2025 Isle of Man TT as he continues to try and rise through the ranks.

A former Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, Anderson joined the 130mph club at the 2023 TT races aboard a Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R1000. Despite retiring in the Superbike TT last year, Anderson would secure an impressive eighth in the Senior TT. The Northern Irishman will be looking for more of the same as he continues for a third successive year with Steve Wheatman’s Team Classic Suzuki.

“The Team Classic boys have invested heavily in the bike in the off season. There’s a few upgraded parts and the bike has been away to see some Motec specialists. We also have some chassis upgrades we hope to test. Our testing programme is due to kick off in the next couple of weeks, hopefully when fairer weather comes.”

Anderson has linked up with former TT rider and rally driver Kiaran Hankin as he continues to ride a Honda Fireblade with KH Hire in the Superstock category. In the Supersport class, Anderson will once again be aboard a Suzuki GSX-R750 for the Butterfields of Skipton team.

The 2024 fortnight was the first time Anderson had contested a “next-generation” Supersport machine and will be hoping to push further up the field after finishing 13^th and 11^th in the two races respectively last year.

“The engine is away for a refreshed at the minute,” Anderson said of the Supersport bike, who also added the team had been working with a specialist to understand the control ECU in the new regulations. “There is a bit more to come. Jim Hind has proved the potential of the GSX-R750, the bike should be a little more potent around the Isle of Man this year.”

Parker Transport Racing reveal three-pronged TT charge

Updated: Tuesday 18^th March. Northern Irish team Parker Transport Racing will contest this year’s Isle of Man TT races with a trio of competitors in the Supersport category.

Manx siblings Ryan and Jamie Cringle will lead the team’s charge in the two Supersport TT encounters and will be joined by Italian newcomer Andrea Majola. The three riders will ride Yamaha TZF-R6s for Parker Transport Racing, while Majola will also get aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1 in the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races.

The Cringle brothers return to the Parker Transport Racing squad after a truncated 2024 campaign which saw the team have to withdraw from the second Supersport race due to the delayed schedule. Ryan earned bragging rights finishing 17^th with a best lap of 123.445mph, a result that the team hopes will earn him a seeded entry for this year’s races.

Jamie, meanwhile, finished in 29^th, earning a bronze replica and setting a personal best lap of 120.979mph. He has set his sights on a top 20 finish this June.

As for Majola, the newcomer may be making his TT debut this year but he has competed successfully at the Manx Grand Prix since 2019. Having focused his efforts in the Junior category, which has been run to Supertwin regulations since 2022, the 34-year-old Liguria native finished fourth on his first visit to the Mountain Course. He backed that result up with another fourth in 2022, a second in 2023 and then finally visiting the top spot last year.

“We were really impressed with Jamie and Ryan’s performances at last year’s TT, setting their personal best Supersport lap times and we know they are very capable riders,” said team owner Gerry Parker. “Ryan really impressed us last year, bringing home a top 17 position in our first TT whilst Jamie will get lots more track time and experience this year as he will make his debut at the North West 200 and, all being well, a few short circuit meetings throughout the year.

“With regards to Andrea, we travelled to the Manx Grand Prix last year as spectators and we watched him riding really well, even with the weather against him. He went on to win and pull away from the rest of the field and we think he is a very fit and capable rider who is perfect for our team. He’ll also be Yamaha mounted for the two Supersport races and we’re building him a new R1 Yamaha for the 1000cc races at the TT, so we can’t wait to see him on our machinery.”

Ian Hutchinson to lead MLav Racing road racing expansion

Updated: Monday 17^th March. Former MotoGP rider Michael Laverty will expand his MLav Racing team into road racing for the 2025 International calendar. 

Revealed early by Neil Hodgson whilst on commentary with Laverty for MotoGP practice at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina, the team will campaign BMW machinery at both the Isle of Man TT and North West 200. Laverty also confirmed the two riders for MLav Racing, led by 17-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson, who returned to the Isle of Man in 2024 after being forced to sit out 2023 following a stroke in training.

Joining Hutchinson will be Irishman Mike Browne, who made his TT debut in 2019. Since then, he has racked up 14 starts and taken podium results in the Supertwin class on two occasions. An official announcement, confirming which classes the team will contest, is due to be made in the coming weeks. 

“We are putting a team in the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200 this year,” said Laverty on commentary with TNT Sports. “We will have a couple of quality riders on board. It will be Ian Hutchinson and Irish rider Mike Browne. Hopefully we will be announcing it in the next week or so. We will be on BMW powered machinery, I am working on the livery at the moment and one of the deadlines is today for RST to leathers to produce the suits in time for testing.”

MLav Racing was founded in 2022, competing in the Moto3 World Championship to provide British riders a stepping stone to Grand Prix racing from the British Talent Cup feeder series.

Julian Trummer leads charge in all-new team

Updated: Friday 7^th March. Julian Trummer will compete with all-new team Lion Heart Moto Racing for the 2025 road racing season.

Lion Heart Moto Racing has been set up by Dwayne McCracken, who has previously worked with the likes of John McGuinness and Paul Jordan. McCracken has defied doctors’ prognosis after being diagnosed with stage 3 inoperable pancreatic cancer in 2023, and now after extensive treatment is preparing for the team’s first road racing campaign where it is dedicated to raising funds for pancreatic cancer research.

Julian Trummer will contest the entire Irish road racing season for Lion Heart Moto Racing aboard a Kawasaki ZX-10RR in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races, switching from the Honda Fireblade of Jackson Racing he rode in 2024.

“I’m super excited,” said Trummer. “Honestly, I can’t wait to get going, especially after last year, which was a bit of a bad one, so this one will be huge for all of us. We’re doing a bit of a shakedown weekend at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown (over Easter) and then our first official outing as a team will be at the Cookstown 100. I’ve never been on a Kawasaki and first I want to make sure I gel with the bike, but all the things I’ve heard about the bike should hopefully suit my style.

“At the TT I’d rather aim for top seven and last year I finished 11^th in the Superbike race, so you always have to aim a bit higher. I want to at least crack the 130mph lap at the TT which is the thing I have to do.

“If I feel happy on the bike, I think there’s more possible but I don’t want to speak about it. I just want to get on and do it, but to do 130mph is what we have to do to improve for the future.”

Craig Neve continues with Bathams AJN Racing

Updated: Wednesday 5^th March. Bathams AJN Racing has announced it will continue with Lincolnshire racer Craig Neve for the major road racing events in 2025, while team manager Michael Rutter reduces his on-track activities.

Rutter, a seven-time TT and 14-time North West 200 winner, will contest a BMW M1000RR in the Superbike races and a Yamaha R7 in the Supertwin category at the North West 200 in May, before focusing on Supertwins only for the TT fortnight.

“I’m going to take a step back from the big bike at the TT,” explained Rutter. “I finished the Senior TT in 9^th last year, and in my heart I know that’s the very, very best I can do, mainly because I just don’t ride the Superbike regularly enough to take on the TT course with that kind of power. However, I really feel there is a lot more potential in the teams R7 Supertwin, which we’re looking at, and I’m genuinely excited about developing that further at the TT.”

Neve, meanwhile, will contest the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport categories in his third year racing with the team. For the 1000cc categories, Neve will stick with his Honda Fireblades for both TT and North West, whilst riding a Triumph Daytona in the Supersport challenges.

“Last year was so frustrating for me,” said Neve. “I went into 2024 on a high after such a great 2023 season, and in the blink of an eye it all changed for me at the TT.  My North West 200 was great, and the TT got off to a great start during practice week, then it was all over after I tipped off my Triumph during Supersport practice and bashed myself about a bit.

“There’s not a lot else to say about last year, other than it’s behind me now, and all my focus and effort is on the 2025 season with Bathams AJN Racing.”

Hickman and Todd officially form 8TEN Racing BMW

Updated: Wednesday 26^th February. Peter Hickman and Davey Todd will line up for the 1000cc races at the 2025 Isle of Man TT aboard their own 8TEN Racing BMWs.

The pair had initially been slated to race for FHO Racing BMW in a TT dream team, but changes to the structure of BMW’s racing plans and FHO’s own long-term goals has seen a new BMW works team to be formed for road racing activities. 8TEN Racing will now compete in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races, and will also receive full factory support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

“The opportunity to co-own and run 8TEN Racing alongside Davey is exciting, and having run my own team across other classes, the experience I have gained over the last few years should put us in good stead to be competitive,” said Hickman. “We know the M 1000 RR very well which will allow some continuity, we’ll be looking to continue our success on the roads”

“I’m really looking forward to this new chapter of my career, riding and co-owning 8TEN Racing,” added Todd. “This structure will be a new dynamic to learn, but I’ve seen it work across other motorcycle championships like Supercross. I’m excited to be more involved in the dealings of the team, as well as build on the success I had with BMW last year”

Both riders will have some continuity as their respective crew chiefs remain unchanged from the 2024 exploits. For Todd this is Stewart Johnson, who oversaw his first TT victories last year, while Hickman will continue to work with Darren Jones, who has been behind all of his TT triumphs and has a wealth of knowledge and experience with running the BMW M1000RR.

“Peter and Davey have such enthusiasm for this new project and will receive continued support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport as they look to continue their respective achievements on the roads,” offered BMW Motorrad Head of Marketing and PR, Scott Grimsdall. “With a new M 1000 RR for 2025, there is real optimism among us that 8TEN Racing can deliver further success for the brand.”

FHO Racing alters 2025 plans, splitting with Hickman and Todd

Updated: Tuesday 11^th February. Front-running Isle of Man TT team FHO Racing will not compete on the roads in 2025, as BMW Motorrad UK announces a ‘restructure’ of its motorsport plans.

The announcement ends speculation surrounding the future of the FHO team, which had been subject to many rumours over the previous weeks, with Peter Hickman denying talk of the team’s demise on social media.

Hickman and Davey Todd will now race for a new 8TEN Racing outfit, which will officially launch on 26^th February ahead of testing for the British Superbike Championship. Hickman first joined the team in 2020, winning six TTs including the 2022 and 2023 Senior races. Todd, meanwhile, had only signed for FHO over the winter, having taken BMW machinery to his first TT wins in 2024.

FHO Racing will continue in the British championship, but will only run 2024 German Superbike Champion Ilya Mikhalchik. The team will also continue to support women in motorsport as well as focusing on increasing motorsport activities in Asia.

“I am a strong advocate of the British Superbike Championship, one of the most entertaining and competitive series in the world,” said FHO Racing team principal Faye Ho. “However, with my long-term goals looking to push motorsport activities in Asia, as well as to keep supporting young women with opportunities in racing, I’ve come to realise I cannot fully commit to the previous levels of time that I have given to BSB and road racing since becoming team owner in 2021 with additional commitments I have back at home in Macau.”

BMW Motorrad UK head of marketing and PR, Scott Grimsdall, added: “The opportunity to introduce a rider of Ilya’s calibre to the [British] championship alongside the setup of an all-new team, with the calibre of Pete and Davey, manages to provide us with excellent strength and rider quality across multiple teams for both British Superbike and Road Racing efforts.”

Roadhouse Macau confirms international pairing

Updated: Monday 3^rd February. Brian McCormack’s Roadhouse Macau team has confirmed that the Irish rider-owner will be joined by German David Datzer at the 2025 TT Races.

The pair will ride a BMW M1000RR in the three 1000cc categories, similar to that on which McCormack took a top ten finish in the 2024 Superbike TT. They will also ride a pair of Triumph motorcycles in the Supersport category under the Global Robots/PHR Performance banner. Finally, McCormack will contest the Supertwin TT races aboard an Aprilia RS660, also under the Global Robots name.

The 41-year-old McCormack has been competing at the TT since 2010 and has racked up 59 starts, with three top ten finishes in the 1000cc categories to his name. The most recent of these came in the 2024 Superbike TT, which was a successful fortnight for the Irishman, finishing in the top 20 six times out of seven races.

Meanwhile, Datzer joins the team off the back of winning the 2024 IRRC Superbike Championship. Unfortunately, his 2024 TT campaign was a little less successful, with a crash at the 11th Milestone during the opening Supertwin TT hampering his week.

“David and I got chatting a while back and I’ve always wanted to run a second rider and build the team up, so it didn’t take long to get everything in place,” said McCormack. “David’s already got to grips with the Triumph which will give him plenty more laps at this year’s TT. He’s never really had a good structure around him at the TT, so we’ll be able to pass on plenty of knowledge and experience to him.

Datzer added: “For me, a team structure like Roadhouse Macau is a dream! Brian and I have known each other from years in the same paddock on the Isle of Man, and after getting to know each other better at Jerez we had a lot of fun and I’m very happy about the season ahead.

“It was good to get my first laps on the Triumph Daytona 765, a great bike, and I will also bring my own Datziii #55 Racing by TW-3 Racing BMWs to the team. Jerez was great preparation so TT 2025 has already begun for me with the Roadhouse Macau!”

Jamie Coward gets Triumph factory backing

Updated: Wednesday 29^th January. Jamie Coward and KTS Racing will receive factory backing from Triumph in the two Supersport races at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

Coward, the leading privateer at the TT, has earned support from the Macadam Triumph Factory Racing team after an impressive fourth place in 2024 and a best lap of 128.668mph. Going forward as KTS Macadam Triumph Factory Racing, Coward will campaign a Triumph Street Triple 765 in the two Supersport TT races this year.

“I’m made up with the Triumph deal and can’t quite believe it to be honest,” enthused Coward. “When you start your career you always dream of factory support, but I didn’t think I’d get to that level. To be sitting here now as a factory-backed rider is pretty cool. The aim, as always, is to go a bit faster than last year, and with support from Triumph, we’ll be even closer to the front. I’m super excited to get going.”

“The KTS team has a wealth of experience on the roads,” added Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer at Triumph Motorcycles, “while the Macadam team has developed a fantastic package with the Street Triple 765 during their British Supersport campaign, so they complement each other perfectly.”

Coward will also make a machinery change in the 1000cc classes for 2025, with KTS Racing opting to switch to a BMW M1000RR from the Honda Fireblade it ran in 2023 and 2024. The 34-year-old is currently the tenth fastest man to ever lap the TT course, and has enjoyed numerous top ten finishes in the big bike categories aboard the Fireblade.

“As a team, we sat down to evaluate our options and agreed that BMW was the best way forward and the best package to be on at the TT,” explained Coward. “When you look at the lap speeds, especially the speed trap figures, the BMW has that extra edge. It also suits the taller riders better, and the team has secured an ex-Josh Brookes [formerly of FHO Racing] bike, so I’m looking forward to testing it.”

Finally, Coward will also contest the Supertwin TT races, although what he will ride remains to be confirmed. The Supertwin category has arguably been the best for the Yorkshireman in recent years, finishing on the podium in 2019 and 2023.

In other road racing news, racing on public roads is set to resume in the Republic of Ireland in 2025 following a new insurance deal for the Road Racing Alliance Ireland. The RRAI includes numerous road racing clubs who split from main governing body Motorcycling Ireland in October.

The new deal will see the Walderstown, Faugheen 50 and Athea road races return to the calendar, the first road racing in the Republic since 2022, joining the already confirmed Northern Irish events: the Cookstown 100, North West 200, Tandragee 100 and Armoy Road Races.

Marcus Simpson joins WH Racing in two-year deal

Updated: Friday 24^th January. Isle of Man TT rising star Marcus Simpson has penned a two-year contract with WH Racing to compete in the big bike categories.

The 26-year-old Manxman, who finished runner up to Joe Yeardsley in the 2023 Senior Manx Grand Prix, will contest a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in what will be his second year at the TT. The highlight of his debut TT fortnight came in the Superbike TT where he finished 12^th and lapped at 125.918mph on his privateer Honda Fireblade.

“Last year’s TT was challenging to say the least,” said Simpson, who finished 21^st with further 125mph laps in the Superstock TT and earned a third bronze replica in the opening Supersport TT. “It didn’t pan out as I would have liked, although if I’d have been offered 12^th place and a near 126mph lap in the Superbike race at the beginning of the fortnight, I’d have snapped your hand off.

“I definitely learned a lot last year in terms of what to do and what not to do both on track and off track and it tested me for sure. But I’m more experienced now and this two-year deal means there’s no pressure on me so I can go out and enjoy myself and if I do that, the results will take care of themselves.

“I know the Fireblade inside out and I think I’ll be in a better position if I just concentrate on what I know, giving me plenty of track time to build on the last two years and continue to improve because I know there’s plenty more to come.”

Simpson follows in the footsteps of previous WH Racing riders Dominic Herbertson and Julian Trummer, and will embark on a pre-season testing schedule in Spain. The team will then embark on a full roads season alongside the TT including entries at the North West 200, Tandragee 100, Southern 100, Armoy Road Races and the Macau Grand Prix.

Alongside the 1000cc classes, Simpson will also ride a Kawasaki ZS650 in the two Supertwin races.

Joey Thompson moves teams for 2025

Updated: Friday 24^th January. Joey Thompson will return for his sixth Isle of Man TT campaign in 2025, moving to a Suzuki GSX-R1000 for the 1000cc categories.

The 27-year-old will race for Team Talk of the Town York Suzuki by Motul Oils in the Superbike, Senior and Superstock TTs, taking over the motorcycle that Shaun Anderson rode to an impressive eighth in last year’s Senior TT. He will also compete in the Supersport TT races aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6 for his own Seventy Four Racing team.

Thompson first competed at the TT in 2017 aged just 19, but it would not be until the event returned from its Covid-enforced break that he would first ride a 1000cc around the 37 and ¾ mile Mountain Course.

Having set a new personal best lap in 2024 of 125.415mph and a best result of 23^rd, the Yorkshireman is eyeing faster laps and higher finishing positions with his new outfit in 2025.

“I’m delighted to have joined Team York Suzuki and am really looking forward to riding their Suzuki GSX-R1000 at this year’s TT,” said Thompson. “My 125mph+ lap at last year’s TT came after I overshot at Parliament Square, so had it not been for losing that time, I would have been a fair bit quicker. I don’t like putting numbers on it, but I’d like to add a couple of mph to my speeds and if we can get into the 127mph bracket, I’ll be happy.”

“We’re very excited to have signed Joey for the 2025 Isle of Man TT Races,” added team owner Kev Pearson. “Ever since the inception of the Team York Suzuki brand it was centred around York and Yorkshire - the only thing missing was a local rider!

“There’s never been a rider of the level required, but with Joey we now have our man. He’s very accomplished, very focused, experienced and with results to boot. We’re overjoyed to be part of his continued journey; our sponsors are keen to be involved, and we can’t wait to get there.”

Josh Brookes leads Jackson Racing effort

Updated: Thursday 23^rd January. Josh Brookes will return to the Isle of Man TT in 2025 aboard a Honda as he moves across to lead the Jackson Racing by Prosper2 stable alongside Paul Jordan.

Brookes’ move comes off the back of his best TT performance to date, finishing in second place aboard the FHO Racing BMW M1000RR in last year’s Senior TT. On his way to the podium he lapped at 134.056mph, stamping his place as the fifth fastest rider ever around the Snaefell Mountain Course. 

Since his return to the TT in 2023, Brookes has taken no fewer than six top-six finishes. The switch to Honda machinery is in line with the Australian’s switch to DAO Racing Honda for the British Superbike Championship in 2025.

“With racing a Honda in BSB this season, I wanted to keep that continuity at the roads as well and whilst I had a few options, I’ve ridden with Alan and his team before and I've been in touch with him quite a bit with the bike I’ve built and been riding in Australia,” said Brookes, who competed for Jackson Racing in 2017, finishing 11^th in that year’s only Supersport race.

“The team have got good bikes and equipment and are very eager to make the right steps to not only give me the best but also the whole team. I think that's quite important, and it gives me confidence that they’re motivated to keep pushing forward, so it seemed like the right move.”

Both Brookes and Jordan, who competed with Jackson Racing in 2024, will contest the Superbike, Senior, Superstock and Supersport races. The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will be contested in the 1000cc categories, while the CBR600RR will be ridden in the two Supersport TTs.

Jordan enjoyed his best year to date at the Isle of Man TT in 2024, improving his best lap times aboard Jackson Racing bikes in Superbike, Superstock and Supersport categories. His best results came in the two Supersport races, finishing in seventh and eighth, while tenth in the Senior was also a highlight.

“After a good first season together, it feels great to be continuing with Jackson Racing for 2025,” said Jordan. “There’s nothing I would change with the team set-up – the atmosphere is brilliant. There’s a lot of experience in the team and that combined with the machinery and my own performance helped us have a strong TT 2024. At the same time, I know there’s room for improvement and I want to keep moving forward and edge ever closer to the front runners.”

Team owner Alan Jackson added: “We’re delighted to have signed Josh and Paul for the 2025 season and it’s without doubt our strongest ever team.

“Josh brings such a wealth of experience with him and his performances at the TT speak for themselves; he’s one of the very best. To have someone of his stature in the team is superb and we’re confident that we can give him the package to achieve similar results to those he’s already gained and hopefully improve further.

“We only have positives to say about our time together with Paul so far and through having built a good relationship in 2024, he improved his results and personal bests at every circuit we went to and as a team manager you can’t ask for more than that. We know we can collectively improve in 2025, and that must be the aim.”

Todd reunites with Padgett’s Motorcycles for Supersport and Supertwins

Updated: Wednesday 15^th January. Davey Todd will compete in the Supersport and Supertwin races at the 2025 Isle of Man TT, reuniting with Clive Padgett’s Batley-based team, Padgett’s Motorcycles.

Already confirmed to be riding a BMW in an FHO Racing super team alongside Peter Hickman, Todd will ride a brand-new Honda CBR600RR in the two Supersport races, as well as a Paton in the Supertwin races. The latter will be the first time that Padgett’s have competed in the Supertwin category.

Todd previously competed with Padgett’s from 2019 to 2023 where he first began to turn heads as a future star of the TT, including taking his first podium around the Snaefell Mountain Course in the 2022 Superstock TT. The North Yorkshire native left Padgett’s in 2024 and went on to achieve his best year to date, taking wins aboard a BMW M1000RR in the Superstock race as well as the event-closing blue riband Senior TT.

The 2024 TT fortnight saw Todd take a pair of podiums aboard a Ducati in the Supersport category, the first time a Ducati scored a podium result at the TT since John McGuinness took second and third respectively in the 2003 Formula One and Senior TT races. Todd also enjoyed his best results in the Supertwin category, taking the Dafabet Racing Kawasaki Z650 to two sixth place finishes.

“I’m super excited to be joining forces with the Padgett’s team again, back with the team I know and love from the last few years when we did some great things together,” said Todd. “I know that the CBR has improved a little bit more since I last rode it and that the team have improved the bike further themselves so I’m really excited to get back out on it, whilst the Paton has proven to be the bike to be on recently in the Supertwin class.”

Lee Johnston to sit out another TT

Updated: Monday 6^th January. Fan favourite Lee Johnston has confirmed that he will miss another TT fortnight as he focuses on the 2025 British Supersport Championship instead. 

The 35-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries in 2023 when competing at the North West 200 and has not raced on the roads since. A planned return in 2024 ended when he suffered a broken leg in pre-season testing. Johnston was keen to stress, however, that the decision had nothing to do with the crashes or injuries, and instead was simply the team’s decision to not take part in the 2025 road racing season.

"[Road racing] is something I have loved for a long time," said Johnston. "I was hard. I have two or three people quite close to me and I regard their thoughts as important. We weighed up the pros and cons, but you have to be going for the right reason.

“In my head I don't think it makes a difference if you miss one year or three," Johnston added. "When you do go back you have to have everything correct, which is the reason we're not doing that. I know how hard it is to win with a good team. I've no interest in going for the sake of going. I think it would upset me more going and riding but not being competitive, than not riding at all."

A five-time winner at the North West 200, as well as taking Supersport honours at the 2019 Isle of Man TT, Johnston has also enjoyed success in the British Supersport Championship, and was in the fight for the overall crown at the time of his incident. 

Conor Cummins to ride Ducati in Supersport TT

Updated: Monday 6^th January. Burrows Engineering have confirmed its choice of machinery for the Supersport TT at the 2025 TT Races, adding a Ducati Panigale V2 to the grid.

The team had previously announced that it would campaign BMWs in the ‘big bike’ categories with local hero Conor Cummins and an unconfirmed manufacturer in the Supersport category. The confirmation of the Ducati signals a departure from the Yamahas Burrows that recently run in the Supersport class.  

“I am really excited about riding the Ducati V2 next year,” said Cummins. “It will be the first time I’ve ridden a Ducati and it makes me excited for a couple of reasons. Ducati is an iconic brand within motorcycling and they always turn heads with how cool they look so that is one element.

“The second reason and the most important being that I think the Ducati will really benefit me in the way it rides. Coming from conventional 4-cylinder 600cc machines, I’ve felt that the initial punch off the turn is somewhere I’ve always been compromised because of my stature, but with the twin cylinder Ducati being very strong in the lower rev range I feel that will be a big benefit to my riding.

“Overall, together with the BMW M1000RR’s, I think John and the team have put a very capable package beneath me for next year and I’ll be ready to go come the start of the season.”

The Ducati has already enjoyed success at the TT, which Davey Todd taking the Panigale V2 to a pair of podium results in the two Supersport encounters at the 2024 TT fortnight.

David Johnson continues with Lee Hardy and Kawasaki

Updated: Thursday 21^st November. Australian fan favourite David ‘Davo’ Johnson will once again ride a works-backed Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR with Lee Hardy and Platinum Club Racing for 2025. The confirmation of the continuation of their deal will see the various parties team up for a second consecutive season.

Last year’s TT ended prematurely for Johnson and the Kawasaki squad, with the Australian crashing heavily at K Tree in the Superbike TT and having to be airlifted to Nobles Hospital.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Johnson said: “I had a brake fade issue just before the final lap so I backed the pace off to bring her home in a comfortable 8^th. Unfortunately, I had a very strange tank slapper at K Tree which I’ve never experienced before and I couldn’t recover it. I managed to roll off the side of the bike and go straight down the middle of the road. I’m battered and bruised and luckily only fractured my collarbone.”

Johnson will return to the saddle of the Kawasaki Ninja in the four 1000cc races across the 2025 TT fortnight – which includes both Superstock TTs, the Superbike TT and the event-closing Senior TT.

“I’m very happy to be continuing with Lee and the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki team for a second season,” said Johnson, who will train on his own ZX-10RR at home in Australia before returning to Europe for pre-season testing.

“We learned a lot this year and there are many positives to take away from the TT. Before the incident we showed good pace and it was a given that there was more to come throughout the week. We will start off 2025 with a good set-up and we will build from there.”

His sentiments are echoed by team owner, Lee Hardy, who added: “As a team we have unfinished business at the Isle of Man TT, and I am looking forward to getting back there again as the Official Kawasaki Road Racing team in 2025.”

Davey Todd joins FHO Racing for BSB and Roads

Updated: Wednesday 13^th November. In one of the least surprising announcements in all motorcycle racing, Davey Todd will join Peter Hickman at the factory-supported FHO Racing BMW Motorrad at the 2025 Isle of Man TT Races.

The duo took three TT wins between them in 2024, and will pilot the newest edition of the M1000R in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races. Todd will also step up to the British Superbike Championship with the team after his second British Superstock Championship victory in 2024.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad team for 2025 and really excited to be continuing with BMW,” said Todd, who rode for the Milwaukee BMW by TAS Racing team in 2024. “I loved riding the bike this year and to join one of the biggest teams in the paddock is going to be something I’m really looking forward to. Pete’s a good friend of mine so it’s going to be pretty cool to be his team-mate.”

Todd’s rise up the TT ranks has been nothing short of meteoric, winning the Newcomer’s Trophy in 2018 and becoming the third fastest rider in TT history with his 135.664mph lap in this year’s Superbike TT. Todd and Hickman are widely regarded as the top two riders on the roads, so for the two to sign up for the same team signals strong intent from Faye Ho’s FHO Racing. Todd also explained that the request came from the very top, with BMW wanting the pair in the same team.

They will get their first taste as teammates at this weekend’s Macau Grand Prix, where they will be joined by Macau legend Michael Rutter in a three-strong outfit around the Guia Circuit.

Honda Racing confirms two-rider line-up for 2025

Updated: Wednesday 13^th November. Honda Racing UK has confirmed it will return to a two-rider outfit for 2025, retaining the services of Dean Harrison and John McGuinness.

The legendary Honda squad will field a pair of Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SPs in the 1000cc categories for both riders, while Haririson will also contest the Supersport races aboard a CBR600RR.

The team is confident of a return to success in 2025 following Dean Harrison’s three podiums in 2024, as well as the hugely impressive speed shown by 23-time winner John McGuinness.

“Nothing makes me prouder than putting my Honda top on, riding for this team and representing the brand,” explained McGuinness. “I rode hard this year. Getting the opportunity to continue doing that for another year, I couldn’t be happier.”

“We have a year of development under our belt with all of our bikes,” added Harrison, himself a three-time winner around the Mountain Course. “I’m looking forward to getting on with the job and trying to win.”

While there is good news for one Harrison, the announcement also confirms there is no place for young Manxman Nathan Harrison (no relation), who leaves the team following his best ever result of seventh in the Senior TT. “Nathan has a bright future ahead of him,” commented Honda Racing UK Team Manager Havier Beltran. “I hope to be able to continue supporting him moving forward.” 

Joe Yeardsley confirms 2025 Road Racing programme

Updated: Friday, 1^st November. Following his Isle of Man TT debut in 2024, Joe Yeardsley will contest a full season for Scott Racing in the Supertwin category.

The move will see Yeardsley compete at the North West 200 for the first time, fresh of an eighth-place finish in the opening Supertwin race at the 2024 TT races. His continued rise in road racing follows a strong 2023 where he achieved podium results at both the Manx Grand Prix and Pre-TT Classic Road Races, as well as at the Cain Road Race in Mexico.

Yeardsley competed aboard a Paton in 2024 with Team ILR, but will switch to Aprilia machinery with Scott Racing in a deal that will also involve a full season of Irish national road races.

“Very happy to announce I’ll be riding for Scott Racing Motorcycles Ltd onboard their Aprilia Supertwin in 2025,” Yeardsley announced via social media. “Really excited to compete on the Irish roads calendar and the North West 200 for the first time, alongside the Isle of Man TT Races and Southern 100 road races. Big thanks to Trevor and the team for the opportunity and fingers crossed we can make some more progress next year.”

The announcement comes just three days after Michael Dunlop dubbed the national road racing scene as “finished,” with only the Cookstown 100, Armoy Road Races and Tandragee 100 scheduled for 2025. The latter is returning for the first time since 2022, while no road racing in the Republic of Ireland has been held since 2022 due to a sharp increase in insurance premiums since Covid.

Which classes are racing in the 2025 Isle of Man TT?

The 2025 Isle of Man TT will follow a similar format to the 2024 edition, with ten races spread across the first week in June. Four races will take place for 1,000cc machines, two for Superstock bikes and two for fully-fledged Superbikes. The latter includes the blue riband, event-closing Senior TT.

Smaller displacement motorcycles will compete for Supersport TT honours, with these closely resembling the road-going sportbikes you can expect to pass you on a dual carriageway. What used to be colloquially known as the ‘600’ class has seen changes to the regulations in recent years with most bikes now somewhere in the region of 600 and 750cc.

The final two-wheeled races will be contested by two-cylinder Supertwins, with engine sizes no greater than 700cc, while the ever-popular Sidecar TTs will complete the ten-race programme.

Who will be riding in the 2025 Isle of Man TT?

Manxman Conor Cummins will move across to Burrows Engineering by RK Racing for the 2025 season after withdrawing halfway through race week in 2024, with many speculating that he was going to be retiring with immediate effect. The 38-year-old has proven those rumours to be false, as he will ride a BMW M1000RR in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races. Cummins will also race in the Supersport category.

The move to BMW signals the end of an era for Cummins, who has been mostly associated with Honda in his TT career. Having ridden for the works Honda team, Cummins has recently become known as one of the most constant fixtures within the Padgetts garage. He is currently the sixth fastest rider to ever lap around the TT course, and has 12 podium finishes to his name in 73 starts.

“I’ve obviously spent a lot of time on Honda machinery so the BMW will be a new challenge, but I’ve seen at close quarters just how strong a package it is,” said Cummins. “The machinery is going to be of the best quality and it’s a complete reset for me and a new chapter in my career.

“There’s no pressure from the team and John [Burrows, team owner] just wants me to enjoy riding his bike, but we both have goals we want to achieve as well. The results won’t be given to me, and we’ll need to work hard but getting back on the TT podium is where I want to be. The programme is all set, and I know where I’ll be riding and when so I’m really excited about our 2025 prospects.”

2025 Isle of Man TT riders and teams