Isle of Man TT 2024 riders and teams

John McGuinness returns to number 1 position for big bike races

Updated: Wednesday 10^th April. John McGuinness will be the first rider to blast down Bray Hill on a 1,000cc machine at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, returning to the opening position after starting from third in 2023.

The 23-time TT winner will carry the number one plate in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races aboard the Honda Racing UK CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, with the opening Superbike Race being ‘McPint’s’ 109^th TT start.

Jamie Coward will follow McGuinness off the line on the KTS Racing Honda, confirming the Yorkshireman’s position at number two in all solo categories for 2024. The second factory Honda will leave the line in third, with Dean Harrison moving ten seconds down the road from the second placed start he’s opted for in the past three TT fortnights.

Honda will account for the first five starting positions in the 1,000cc categories in 2024, with Ian Hutchinson returning to both the TT and the Padgetts Motorcycles stable in fourth, with James Hillier launching from fifth aboard the WTF Racing Honda.

Unsurprisingly, Michael Dunlop lines up in sixth, as he does in all solo classes this year. However, Dunlop is yet to confirm what he’ll be racing or who for, but the hot rumour is that he will be aboard a Honda Fireblade as he aims to become the most successful rider in the history of the TT. One win for Dunlop will see him equal the total of his legendary uncle Joey, whereas a second win will see Michael break the 24-year record of 26 wins.

Josh Brookes returns to the number seven spot aboard the FHO Racing BMW, as he did in 2023, and with his pace steadily improving throughout last year’s fortnight, is widely regarded as a strong contender for a podium result. Also considered as a podium favourite is Davey Todd, who heads off at number eight aboard the Milwaukee BMW following his split from Padgetts Motorcycles at the end of 2023.

Thanks to his performances in 2023, which saw him lap close to 131mph, Craig Neve moves up to the number nine spot aboard the Bathams Racing Honda, while hunting Neve down off the line will be lap record holder Peter Hickman. Hickman, riding the second of the FHO Racing BMWs, has won ten of the last 13 1,000cc races at the TT, and many expect at least one more to be added to that total this year.

Manxman Conor Cummins lines up in his customary 11^th place, flying the flag for the locals aboard the Padgetts Honda. David Johnson will follow Cummins from the 12^th spot, racing the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki. Popular Lee Johnston takes his usual 13 plate, riding a Fireblade under his own Ashcourt Racing stable, returning to the TT after missing 2023 through injury.

One of the most experienced TT racers lines up in 14^th, with Michael Rutter preparing to celebrate 30 years at the TT by competing aboard the Bathams Racing BMW. The seven-time TT winner will not compete in the Superstock races, leaving the number 14 starting position empty on those occasions.

Starting ten seconds behind Rutter, and 20 behind Johnston in the Superstock races, in the 15^th position will be Rob Hodson aboard the SMT Racing Honda, with Dominic Herbertson starting from 16^th aboard the Burrows Engineering BMW. The two will be ones to watch having become the latest riders to join the 130mph club in 2023.

Gary Johnson returns to the TT in the number 17 spot aboard a Honda, having skipped 2023 through injury. The two-time winner will be racing for Bill Smith Motors in the 1,000cc categories. He will be swiftly followed by the Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Shaun Anderson, who also set his first 130mph lap in 2023.

Phil Crowe lines up in 19^th aboard the Nigel Appleyard BMW, with Mike Browne completing the top 20 seeds, with his team and motorcycle expected to be confirmed soon.

Paul Jordan, who wears the number one plate in the Supersport and Supertwin categories is unseeded on the Jackson Racing Honda, as is the factory Honda of Nathan Harrison. Harrison recently underwent surgery following an accident in winter testing in Spain, but the team has stated that it would not have an impact on his racing season.

Supertwin seedings announced

Updated: Monday 8^th April. The seedings for the Supertwin races have been annouced, with Coward taking the same number two spot he was seeded in for the Supersport races. Along with Coward, the top two for the Supertwin races remain unchanged from the Supersport seedings, with Paul Jordan leading the field down Bray Hill aboard his Rev2Race Yamaha R7 and looking to replicate his podium-winning performance of 2023.

One of the breakout stars in the Supertwin category in recent years, Pierre-Yves Bian lines up in third, having become the first ever Frenchman to stand on the podium in a solo TT last year. Following Bian will be 2017 Supertwin winner Michael Rutter aboard the Bathams Racing Yamaha, with Rob Hodson heading off in fifth aboard the SMT Racing Paton.

One of the pre-race favourites, Michael Dunlop, the Supertwin lap record holder at 122.750mph, will hustle his Paton off the start line from his usual sixth starting place, looking for his fourth victory in the category, while Josh Brookes goes away from number seven on the second Rev2Race Yamaha.

Davey Todd will head out from the eighth position as another potential race-winner, having joined forces with three-time winners Dafabet Racing for the 2024 races. Dominic Herbertson moves up to the number nine slot aboard the Burrows Engineering Paton, with another bookie’s favourite in Peter Hickman lining up in tenth. Hickman has won two of the last three Supertwin races, including the most recent in 2023, and will be aiming for yet more success aboard the PHR Performance Yamaha.

Gary Johnson lines up 11^th on the second Dafabet Racing Yamaha, while Stefano Bonetti, another Supertwin specialist, takes the number 12 slot on the VAS Engine Paton. Lee Johnston retains his usual number 13 starting position on the Ashcourt Racing Aprilia, followed by Mike Browne in 14^th, who will be looking to make up for the heartbreak in 2023 when he retired with mechanical issues whilst in a winning position. Browne’s choice of bike is still to be confirmed.

Two TT debutants, Victor Lopez Santos and Joe Yeardsley, take the 15^th and 16^th starting positions respectively, with Joey Thomspson, Barry Furber, James Hind and Michael Evans rounding out the top 20 seedings.

Jamie Coward remains with KTS Racing for 2024

Updated: Monday 8^th April. Jamie Coward will continue with KTS Racing for the 2024 Isle of Man TT races, competing in every class and extending their partnership for a third successive year.

The 33 year old from Yorkshire has made the switch from Yamaha to Triumph machinery in the Supersport category, as was previously announced, in which he narrowly missed out on a podium result in 2023. He will also continue to ride Hondas in the 1,000cc categories and a Kawasaki Z650 in the Supertwin races.

Coward and KTS Racing have made headlines in recent years, securing a run of top-six results and competing well against some of the larger teams with works-backed budgets. Coward also set his personal best laps in the Supersport, Superbike and Superstock and his overall best of 132.096mph slots him in as the 12^th fastest rider in TT history.

While he admitted that a podium was likely out of reach in the Superbike category, Coward was keen to stress that silverware was the goal in the Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin races, looking to add to his two previous trips to the podium on a Supertwin, in 2019 and 2023.

Birchall leads Sidecar TT seedings

Updated: Friday 5^th April. Ben Birchall will continue running from his usual number one starting position as he prepares to embark on a new chapter of his TT career, running without his brother Tom following the latter’s shock retirement at the end of 2023.

Kevin Rousseau will sit alongside the 14-time TT winner aboard their LCR Honda, and will be hunted down by the FHO Racing DDM Honda outfit of Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley, who line up in second once again, having joined the Birchalls in the 120mph club in 2023.

Popular Manx pairing of Ryan and Callum Crowe will be the fourth outfit to head down Bray Hill aboard their Ryde Honda, followed by Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes in fifth aboard the Carl Cox Motorsport Team LCR Honda.

The first outfit not to have Honda power will head off at number five with Dave Molyneux, who reverts back to a 600cc DMR Kawasaki having run the 890cc KTM engine for the past two TT fortnights. Joining one of the most experienced drivers on the grid will be the youngest passenger on the entry list, with 20-year-old Jake Roberts from Ramsey sitting alongside the 17-time winner.

John Holden lines up at number six, having decided against his previously announced retirement, competing alongside Belgian Frank Claeys and with KTM power in their Ryde outfit, racing under the Carl Cox Motorsport banner.

The Yorkshire father and son pairing of Steve and Matthew Ramsden are away at number seven, with former British Champion Lee Crawford returning to the TT grid having sat out in 2023. Crawford is joined once again by Scott Hardie aboard their LCR Kawasaki. 

Lewis Blackstock and Patrick Rosney line up at number nine racing for Dave Holden aboard an LCR Yamaha, having also missed the 2023 event, while Alan Founds and third-generation Founds racer Rhys Gibbons complete the top ten seedings.

Previously announced double World Sidecar Champions Tom Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement are not seeded as they make their Isle of Man TT debuts.

Rob Hodson continues with SMT Racing in 2024

Updated: Thursday 4^th April. Rob Hodson will continue with SMT Racing for the second consecutive year at the 2024 Isle of Man TT, having become the latest member of the 130mph club in 2023.

The Lancastrian was already confirmed to be riding a Yamaha for SMT Racing in the Supersport races following the annoucement of seedings in that category, and will ride Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblades in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races across the week. Hodson, who won the 2015 Supertwin race at the Manx Grand Prix, will also compete in the twin-cylinder, 700cc contest aboard a Paton SR-1.

Following his form in 2023, Hodson, who also won the 2022 Manx Grand Prix Classic Superbike race, has been rewarded with his first ever top-20 seeded position in all classes. The first of these has been announced as the number 15 position in the Supersport TT, with more to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Paul Jordan first away with Supersport seedings confirmed

Updated: Wednesday 3^rd April. The Isle of Man TT has confirmed the first entry numbers of the 2024 fortnight, with Paul Jordan taking the number one plate for the first time in his TT career.

The Jackson Racing rider will lead away on his Honda CBR600RR, with reigning Privateers’ champion Jamie Coward in hot pursuit, moving up to number two from the number four slot in 2023 and switching to Triumph machinery despite one of his strongest years to date 12 months ago.

Next up comes Dean Harrison, who not only switches teams to the works Honda Racing UK outfit, but also moves down to the third starting slot, having starting second on the road every year since 2018. Ian Hutchinson resumes in his favoured fourth starting position upon his TT return with the Padgett’s Motorcycles squad, while James Hillier, who also returns to an old stomping ground with Bournemouth Kawasaki, assumes his usual number five slot.

One of the pre-race favourites, Michael Dunlop, starts at his usual slot of numbers six, and the opening Supersport race of 2024 will give him the first opportunity to equal uncle Joey Dunlop’s long standing record of 26 TT wins. Following Dunlop on the road will be Josh Brookes, making his first Supersport start since 2018, while Davey Todd looks to take Ducati back to the top spot from the number eight slot.

Recently confirmed Craig Neve lines up for his first ever top-ten starting position at number nine, while Peter Hickman lines up in his usual tenth slot, with both riders piloting Triumph 765 RS machinery. Conor Cummins lines up 11^th on the second Padgett’s Honda, with David Johnson taking the 12^th starting spot aboard the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki.

Lee Johnston, hopeful of a TT return despite his latest injury setback, will line up with his preferred number 13 aboard the Ashcourt Racing Triumph, followed by a trio of Yamahas in Mike Browne (Russell Racing), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing) and Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering by RK Racing) fill slots 14 to 16 respectively.

A former winner in Gary Johnson lines up at number 17 aboard the NL Motorcycle Suzuki GSX-R750, followed by two more Suzukis: Butterfields of Skipton’s Shaun Anderson and North Lincs Components’ James Hind, the latter of which will be prepared by fan favourite Guy Martin. Local racer Michael Evans completes the top 20 aboard the Smiths Racing Triumph.

Michael Rutter completes Bathams Racing line-up

Updated: Thursday 28^th March. Following the previous confirmation from Craig Neve that he will compete with Bathams Racing once again, the team has now announced Michael Rutter completes an unchanged two rider line-up for 2024.

The 2024 TT races mark the 30 years since Rutter’s TT debut, where he finished 17^th in the Formula One TT aboard a Honda. Since then Rutter has racked up seven wins around the TT course, the same number achieved by his father, as well as 14 wins at the North West 200 (third most of all time) and a record nine wins at the Macau Grand Prix.

Now an elder statesman of Road Racing, the 51-year-old will ride a BMW M1000RR in the Superbike and Senior TT races, while also competing in the Supertwin races on a Yamaha R7.

“When we expanded the team last year with Craig, we wanted to bring in an up-and-coming rider and help develop them, and that’s exactly what happened,” explained Rutter. “Last year we achieved everything we hoped we would with Craig, so it was an easy decision to carry on that commitment with him as we feel there’s more to come from both him and the bikes.”

International flavour to Team ILR for 2024

Updated: Thursday 28^th March. Ian Lougher’s Team ILR by Frog Vehicle Developments will enter five riders from five separate nations for the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races.

The majority of the team’s focus will be on the two Supertwin races, with Manxman Joe Yeardsley, German David Datzer, Italian Francesco Curigna and the Japanese Masayuki Yamanaka all riding for the ILR squad. With the exception of Yamanaka, who will ride a Kawasaki ER-6, the riders will compete on Paton S1-R machinery.

Yeardsley will be making his debut at his home event, but will be aiming high having lapped just under 117mph for Lougher’s team in the Supertwin class of the 2023 Manx Grand Prix. Curinga, meanwhile, will be looking to continue his form that took him to eighth during his debut TT with the team in 2023, while Datzer steps aboard a Supertwin for the first time having previously focussed on 1,000cc motorcycles. The fourth and final Team ILR competitor in the Supertwin category, Yamanaka will be competing in his sixth Isle of Man TT, and his fourth with Ian Lougher’s backing, coming off the back of his first ever top-20 result in 2023.

Finally, Irishman James Chawke will race a Honda CBR600RR under the Team ILR banner in the two Supersport TTs.

Davey Todd brings Ducati to the TT

Updated: Wednesday 20^th March 2024. Davey Todd will aim to take a Ducati to the top step of the Isle of Man TT podium for the first time in almost 40 years in 2024, piloting a Panigale V2 in the two Supersport Races.

The Ducati Panigale V2 was a dominant force in both the British and World Supersport championships, with Ben Currie and Nicolo Bulega taking the respective crowns in both series. Despite undeniable short circuit success, the Ducati remains an unknown around the 37.73 miles of the Snaefell Mountain Course.

It may come as a surprise to many that despite legendary success in Grand Prix and Superbike circles, Ducati as a marque has just eight victories at the TT to its name, the most decent of which came at the hands of Tony Rutter back in 1985.

Despite these unknowns, Todd is confident that he will be able to bring some Italian flair to the top of time sheets this summer. One of the fastest rising stars in recent years, Todd comes into 2024 with good form behind him in the Supersport class. In the past three Supersport races, Todd has finished fourth twice and fifth once, with a best lap of 128.699mph that places him the fourth fastest Supersport rider ever, behind only Michael Dunlop, Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison.

“It’s a pretty trick piece of kit,” said an enthusiastic Todd. “There’s certainly no better looking Supersport machine on the grid! Looks are one thing, but the pedigree of the V2 is unquestionable, winning pretty much everything in 2023. The TT throws up a different challenge for sure, but with support from TAS [Racing] and Stewart [Johnstone] leading the team, I’m really excited about going down Bray Hill on the bike.”

Already competing with the TAS Racing outfit in the 1,000cc categories, the Powertoolmate outfit will receive support from TAS in the Supersport category, with highly respected crew chief Stewart Johnstone as Crew Chief and Team Principal, cementing their position as one to watch in 2024.

The announcement confirms Todd’s involvement in all solo categories at the TT in 2024, competing on three different makes across the week: BMW M1000RRs in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races, the Ducati Panigale V2 in the Supersport races and a Kawasaki Ninja 650 in the Supertwin races.

James Hillier reunites with Bournemouth Kawasaki for Supersport races

Updated: Thursday 14^th March 2024. James Hillier has confirmed the motorcycle and team he will ride for in the two four-lap Supersport TT races, reuniting with Bournemouth Kawasaki aboard a ZX-6R.

Hillier previously announced his plans to race Honda machinery at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races in the 1,000cc races with WTF (We’re the Future) Racing, the rebranded face of the former OMG Racing outfit he has competed with since 2022.

The move sees the Ringwood-based rider back with the team that took him to five Supersport podium results at the TT, the most recent of which came in 2019.

“I’m excited to be back with Pete [Extance, team owner] and the team at Bournemouth Kawasaki once again for the Supersport races,” said Hillier. “We collectively have a lot of knowledge and data after many years racing together and at the TT that’s a crucial element to being competitive.”

The announcement signals the first Kawasaki to be confirmed in the Supersport category for 2024, becoming the fourth different manufacturer to be represented, alongside Honda, Yamaha and Triumph.

Alan Founds recruits nephew for 2024

Updated: Tuesday 19^th March 2024. A third generation of Founds will compete at the Isle of Man TT in 2024, extending the family tradition of sidecar racing around the 37.73 mile course.

Stepping into the passenger’s chair alongside uncle Alan Founds, Rhys Gibbons will make his TT debut aboard the Team Founds Racing LCR Yamaha. The 20-year-old already has five years of sidecar experience to his name, and with his eyes set firmly on taking on the TT course, his uncle has decided that now is the perfect time to do so.

The 2023 edition of the TT was almost over before it even began for Founds, when Jake Lowther, his original passenger, was excluded from the event following a positive result from a random drugs test. After bringing in Colin Smyth at the last minute, the pair rode to tenth and 11^th respectively in the two sidecar TT races.

Founds’ brother Pete also competes in the sidecar category, taking a brace of podiums in 2023 as well as becoming only the second outfit to break the 120mph lap barrier with partner Jevan Walmsley, second only to the all-conquering Birchall brothers. The two followed in the footsteps of father Des, who competed 29 times across 1981 to 1997.

FHO Racing retain BMW support for 2024

Updated: Friday 23^rd February. FHO Racing will be BMW Motorrad’s officially supported team at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races for a second consecutive year after a successful showing 12 months ago, taking a trio of wins and a new lap record.

The team will once again be led by Peter Hickman, who has won 13 races since 2018 – although in reality that only equates to four TT events owing to the two years away due to the Covid pandemic. Ten of those wins have come on 1,000cc BMW machinery, and he goes into 2024 as a firm favourite in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Joining Hickman will, once again, be Josh Brookes, who made his return to the TT in 2023 after a five-year absence. The Australian finished fifth in the Senior TT and joined the 132mph club on an FHO bike last year, as well as securing his first podium in the Supertwins.

“I’m so delighted that FHO Racing remains the official BMW Motorrad team at the TT Races, as well as in the British Championship,” said FHO Racing Team Principal, Faye Ho. “We’re still a relatively young team, so to have factory status already, it’s just a dream come true, and I can’t thank BMW Motorrad enough, my team and my riders – it’s just fantastic.”

Jackson Racing returns with future star line-up

Updated: Tuesday 20^th February. Jackson Racing has signed up two of road racing’s most prominent rising stars for its return to the Isle of Man TT.

Paul Jordan and Julian Trummer will compete in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races on Honda CBR1000RRs, as well as the Supersport races aboard Honda CBR600RRs for the Preston-based squad, which boasts strong alumni at the TT including John McGuinness, Josh Brookes, Dan Kneen and James Hillier.

Jordan joins after enjoying two of his best years around the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course, securing his first podium finish in 2022, taking third in the Supertwins race. The 32-year-old also set his personal best laps in both 1,000cc and 600cc classes in 2023, lapping at 128.271mph and 125.544mph respectively, taking the Northern Irishman’s top ten count up to five following his debut in 2017.

Julian Trummer, a podium finisher at the Manx Grand Prix, has also had strong results at the TT in recent years, capped off with a trio of top-20 results in the 1,000cc races in 2023. The curtain-closing Senior TT also saw Trummer become the fastest non-English speaking rider at 128.638mph. With a best finish of ninth to his name in the 2018 Lightweight TT, the Austrian will be looking to continue his climb up the results sheets in 2024.

Croatian champion Majcan to make TT debut

Updated: Monday 19^th February. Reigning Croatian Supersport Champion Loris Majcan will make his debut at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races aboard his own Yamaha YZF-R6.

A three-time champion in the Supersport category, Majcan has been racing professionally in his native Croatia and wider European nations for nine years. While he has competed in the Superbike category, it has been the smaller Supersport races where he has enjoyed the majority of his success.

After a hard-fought season in 2021 saw him take the Supersport title by just two points, Majcan has had much more dominant proceedings in both 2022 and 2023, winning five out of 11 and three out of seven races respectively. As well as the Croatian Supersport Championship, Majcan has also raced in the FIM European Alpe Adria Superstock 600 Championship, taking in major circuits such as Brno and the Slovakiaring.

The TT will not be his first foray into road racing, however, having built up his experience in Croatian road racing events, the Krizevci TT and Brod Open Races. Despite riding the 600cc Yamaha, he has not only won his category, but won the races outright and comfortably beaten those around him on 1,000cc Superbike machines.

Josh Brookes and Mike Browne join Russell Racing

Updated: Friday 16^th February. Russell Racing has announced an impressive line-up for the Supersport Races at the 2024 Isle of Man TT, securing the services of Josh Brookes and Mike Browne.

The pair will ride the Boyce Precision Engineering backed Yamaha YZF-R6s in the two Supersport races, replacing the outgoing Dean Harrison and James Hillier, both of whom scored podium results for the team in 2023.

It will be Browne's third consecutive Supersport TT on a YZF-R6, having previously ridden a Yamaha for Burrows Engineering/RK Racing. His best result across the four races was ninth, but was able to lap over 125mph in qualifying ahead of last year's races.

Brookes, meanwhile, returns to the category for the first time since 2018, having opted out of the 600cc class on his TT comeback in 2023. However, he is experienced in the category, having previously competed for Milwaukee Yamaha in 2014, Jackson Racing Honda in 2017 – deputising for an injured John McGuinness – and finally for McAms Yamaha in 2018. It was 2018 where he scores his best results: a pair of sixth placed finishes, having set the fourth fastest time in qualifying.

David Johnson leads Kawasaki Entry for 2024

Updated: Thursday 15^th February. Kawasaki UK has unveiled its official works entry for the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races, with David Johnson leading flying the flag with Lee Jackson Racing.

Lee Jackson Racing has taken over the official entry for Kawasaki from DAO Racing, which departs the TT following Dean Harrison’s move to the works Honda squad for 2024. Lee Jackson Racing will provide a ZX-10RR in both the Superstock and Superbike categories, with the popular ‘Davo’ Johnson getting used to Kawasaki machinery Down Under aboard a standard ZX-10R.

“I’m very happy to get the Kawasaki ride with Lee Hardy Racing. I’ve always got along great with Lee, and he always prepares immaculate, very competitive bikes. I have been riding a lot out here in Australia, and since agreeing on a deal, I’ve been extra motivated to be at the top of my game come May.”

Johnson will also ride the Kawasaki at North West 200 in May, as well as the season-ending Macau Grand Prix. The 2024 season also sees Lee Jackson Racing step back from the British Superbike Championship to focus on its road racing programme, having previously built up a reputation for helping young riders up the ladder – including Moto2’s Jake Dixon, who finished runner-up to Leon Haslam in 2018 aboard a Lee Jackson Racing motorcycle.

Davey Todd joins Dafabet Racing for Supertwin Races

Updated: Tuesday 13^th February. TT front runner Davey Todd will ride the Dafabet Racing team in the two Supertwin Races at this year’s TT fortnight, running alongside his Superbike duties with Milwaukee BMW.

Dafabet Racing was a dominant force in the 700cc category between 2016 and 2018, taking three consecutive victories with Dean Harrison and Ivan Lintin. Josh Brookes, competing after a last minute deal took place, finished on the podium for the team in 2023, scoring his first TT podium in the process.

Todd’s only appearance in the Supertwin races so far was in 2019, failing to finish whilst riding for the official Norton team. With both Todd’s own TT career taking off since then, and now riding for a proven race-winning outfit, the 28-year-old is confident he can fight for the win in 2024.

“This is a class where bike performance is vital, and I feel like I’ve got a proven machine with the Dafabet team,” explained Todd. Their pedigree in the class speaks for itself, so let’s see what we can achieve.”

The announcement means Todd is now lined up to compete in all classes but Supersport for the 2024 TT fortnight, having previously competed in the category, alongside the 1,000cc classes, with Padgett’s Racing. It was also recently confirmed that Todd would not ride for the TAS Racing British Superbike team as originally planned, but will instead ride a BMW M1000R for the Cheshire Mouldings backed-squad in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, making way for the returning Rory Skinner following a disappointing stint in Moto2.

Expanded entry for Roadhouse Macau by FHO in 2024

Updated: Monday 12^th February. Brian McCormack will continue his relationship with the FHO Racing into the 2024 Isle of Man TT road races, piloting a BMW M1000RR in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races, while also competing under the Global Robots banner in both the Supersport and Supertwin races.

The Irishman has been racing at the TT since 2010 and has enjoyed no fewer than 18 top-20 finishes, with a best result of ninth in the 2019 Senior TT. “The aim is top ten finishes like we got in 2018 and 2019,” explained McCormack. “Last time on the TT Course was at the Manx Grand Prix where I had a good race and was challenging for the podium on the Classic Superbike, so I’m confident we can get back in the top ten at the TT.”

For the Supersport and Supertwin races, McCormack will be joined by newcomer Eoin O’Siochru, who moves up to the TT following impressive results at the Manx Grand Prix and taking wins in the Irish National Road Races.

“On New Year’s Day I got a message from [Brian] asking if I wanted to join the team,” explained O’Siochru. “To be honest, I thought it was a bit of a joke! The TT’s been an absolute dream of mine for as long as I can remember and when I first visited the Island and saw the bikes go by I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

The pair will ride a pair of Triumph 765s in the Supersport races and Aprilia RS660s in the Supertwin races for Global Robots, with the Triumphs built to the same specification as 13-time TT winner Peter Hickman’s, by his team PHR Performance.

Conor Cummins returns with Padgett’s

Updated: Wednesday 7^th February. Conor Cummins will compete with the Milenco by Padgett’s for an eighth consecutive Isle of Man TT in 2024, having agreed a deal with the Batley-based Honda team.

The towering Manxman joins Ian Hutchinson at Padgett’s for the upcoming year, completing an impressive line-up for the historic team, and will compete in the Superbike, Superstock, Senior and Supersport races.

Cummins is chasing an elusive first victory having finished on the podium 12 times, six of those occasions have come during his time with the Padgett’s outfit, including a string of silverware in the Superbike and Senior TT races between 2018 and 2022. It was also in 2022 where Cummins set his own personal best lap of 133.116mph on his way to finishing second in the Superstock race and sits only behind Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison as the fastest man ever around the TT course.

He will be hoping for an improvement on his 2023 results, which were hampered by a sickness bug which plagued the Padgett’s team, forcing him to miss half of practice week and the opening two races. He fought back as the week drew to a close, however, finishing fourth in both the second Superstock race and the Senior, lapping over 132mph in both.

“I’ve had a bit of a reset, analysing everything both on and off track, and I want to go racing properly and be committed to try and win races with the TT being at the top of the list,” said Cummins. “I’m keen to get back racing and push for wins in 2024. The desire and passion are still very much there, and after discussing everything with Clive, he’s brought everything to the table so together we’ll be throwing the kitchen sink at the TT.”

Kevin Keyes to make TT debut

Updated: Monday 5^th February at 09:20. National Junior Superstock race winner Kevin Keyes will make his Isle of Man TT debut this year, competing with the Daracore Racing Yamaha outfit in the “big bike” categories aboard a YZF-R1, as well as riding an ex-Jamie Coward YZF-R6 in both Supersport Races.

The Irishman has been present in the British Championship paddock since 2015, making an instant impact when he finished as runner-up in the 2015 British Junior Cup after securing five wins and nine podium results before graduating to the National Junior Superstock in 2016 and soon becoming a regular front runner.

He turned his attention to the roads in 2022 and was an instant success, dominating the Irish Senior Support Championship before returning to short circuit racing, and graduating to 1,000cc machinery, in 2023 - albeit not in the British Championship. Keyes beat regular TT and roads front runners throughout the year including Jamie Coward and Sam West. He has recently completed laps with Rider Liaison Officers John Barton and ‘Milky’ Quayle in recent weeks as he ramps up his TT preparations.

Keyes admits he feels most comfortable on a 600, having ridden one for the past seven years, but is only focusing on track time and not concerning himself with results at his debut TT.

Which classes are racing in the 2024 Isle of Man TT?

The headline races, the Superbike and Senior TTs, see 1,000cc Superbikes take on the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course, and while both races are run to Superbike regulations, it is not uncommon to see slight differences in entry lists, with the highest profile change in recent years being Padgett’s Motorcycles running a MotoGP-derived motorcycle in the week-ending Senior TT.

The Superstock TTs are also for 1,000cc machines, but are much more closely related to the motorbikes you’ll see in your local dealership, with far fewer modifications allowed compared to their Superbike siblings. Moving down the list, the Supersport are also closely related to road-going sportbikes, and tend to hover around the 600cc mark.

The Supertwin races will see two-cylinder machines no larger than 700cc take on the Mountain in what has been one of the most competitive categories in recent years, and finally the sidecars round out the race programme, always providing jaw-dropping highlight reel moments.

Who are the big names returning to the 2024 Isle of Man TT?

One of the biggest pieces of news ahead of the 2024 season was that Davey Todd would be stepping away from the Padgett’s team, having first competed with the team in 2019 and winning the British Superstock championship in 2022. Todd, hotly tipped as one of the brightest young talents in road racing, has moved across to Milwaukee BMW for the 1,000cc classes and becomes the latest in a long list of big names to race for the TAS Racing-run outfit that includes Ian Lougher, David Jefferies, Bruce Anstey, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson.

Ironically, Ian Hutchinson will step in to fill the empty space left by Todd, having been forced to sit on the sidelines in 2023 having suffered a stroke during the off season. The 16-time TT winner returns to the outfit where he became the first – and still only – man to win five races in a single TT fortnight, hoping for his first real competitive outing since 2017.

Also returning to the TT after a year out will be Lee Johnston, who was forced to watch from the sidelines after a horrific accident at the North West 200 left him with life-threatening injuries. The popular rider, who stepped behind the microphone at the Goodwood Revival in 2023, returns with his Ashcourt Racing squad, riding a Honda in the 1,000cc classes and an Aprilia RS660 in the Supertwin races.

Johnston will also compete in the Supersport races, although his choice of machine is yet to be confirmed. He’s already tempered expectations for his return, stating he feels he’s still not back to 100 per cent at present. “I’d say I’m at about 80 per cent fitness right now,” he said. “That’s amazing considering where I was and I’m feeling really good. I’m being realistic about it. This will be somewhat of a rebuilding year but I can’t want to get back on my bike at the TT.”

Who’s racing for Honda at the 2024 Isle of Man TT?

Elsewhere, the line-up for the iconic works-backed Honda Racing UK squad has been confirmed, with Nathan Harrison being given a second chance having missed out on his run with the team in 2023 due to injury. Joining Harrison in the red, white and blue of the Honda works team for a second consecutive year will be TT legend John McGuinness, with ‘McPint’ competing in the 1,000cc classes only on the new CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Those two will be joined by Dean Harrison in the expanded Honda Racing UK outfit, who jumps across from DAO Racing Kawasaki, with whom he competed for seven years and took a pair of victories, including the Senior TT in 2019. Both Harrisons will also compete in the Supersport races on the CBR600RR.

James Hillier will also be switching to Honda machinery in 2024, with the newly renamed WTF Racing (standing for ‘We’re The Future) opting to ditch the Yamahas in favour of a new Fireblade in the 1,000cc categories. A one-time TT winner, with 14 podium visits, Hillier will be hoping the switch is fruitful, despite becoming the fastest ever Yamaha rider in 2023. He is also planning to compete in the Supersport races, although with whom and on what is yet to be confirmed.

Alongside Lee Johnston, only Dominic Herbertson is confirmed to be competing in all five solo classes, with the Burrows Engineering team opting against its usual strategy of supporting young and upcoming talent by signing the experienced Herbertson. The Northumberland native will ride BMWs in the 1,000cc classes, a Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Supersport category and an as-yet-unconfirmed machine in the Supertwins.

The final solo rider confirmed as of writing is 32-year-old Patrick Hoff, who makes his TT debut with Penz13.com. Hoff only began road racing in 2015, but having finished third in the International Road Racing Championship last year, will step up to the jewel in the road racing crown for 2024. The German will ride his own BMW M1000RR in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races.

Who’s racing sidecars at the 2024 Isle of Man TT?

When it comes to the sidecars, currently only one team is confirmed, but it’s an all-star announcement in the world of three-wheel racing. Tom Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement will make their TT debuts off the back of consecutive British and World Sidecar Championships – including winning every race they entered in the 2023 British Championship. Among those they beat last year were current TT stars Ben and Tom Birchall, although only Ben will compete in 2024, with passenger Tom announcing his retirement from racing just before Christmas.

The one remaining Birchall in the field has confirmed he will race alongside Kevin Rosseau for the 2024 TT races, following the announcement of his brother’s retirement.

He said that, although Tom’s announcement caught him by surprise, there was never any doubt who he wanted to step into his younger brother’s seat. “The thought of never competing at the TT never entered my head,” he explains.

“Doing it without Tom isn’t a position I’ve been in before, but once I knew he was calling it a day there was only one person I wanted alongside me and that was Kevin, so I moved quick to get everything in place.”

They won’t be heading off down Glencrutchery Road totally into the unknown, however, as the pair have already completed laps of the Mountain Course together, conducting a tyre test at the Manx Grand Prix alongside Dave Molyneux, Ryan Crowe and Tim Reeves.

Frenchman Rosseau has only competed at the TT once going in to the 2024 fortnight, but has already lapped the course at almost 114mph during qualifying, with Reeves in the driver’s seat. Reeves and Rosseau have also enjoyed wins and podiums in the Sidecar World Championship.

Images courtesy of IOMTT.