TT 2026: Dean Harrison sets commanding first qualifying pace

Honda rider sets fastest ever first timed lap in quick session

Honda Racing UK rider, Dean Harrison set the fastest ever opening qualifying lap of the Isle of Man TT Races during the first timed practice of the 2026 event this evening (26 May).

From a standing start, the now-Island resident clocked 133.222mph before upping that to 133.935mph on a second, flying lap to top the Superbike and overall standings on Tuesday night.

That pace also made him the only rider to dip under the 17-minute mark around the Snaefell Mountain Course so far in 2026.

Meanwhile, 33-time winner, Michael Dunlop MBE went second quickest on the Hawk Racing Honda in the Superbike class at 130.341mph and just shy of 28 seconds off the pace of Dean Harrison.

Rounding out the Superbike top three was local rider, Nathan Harrison who managed a best speed of 130.01mph on his H&H Motorcycles Honda machinery.

Elsewhere, in the Superstock class, DAO Racing competitor, Josh Brookes set the benchmark at 130.197mph.

Second-quickest in the Superstocks was Peter Hickman who managed a 129.42mph lap from a standing start on his one and only lap of the course on board his 8TEN Racing BMW, just over six seconds back off Brookes.

After that, Jamie Coward made an impressive start in the Superstock session on his TT return after missing last year's event, managing a best average pace of 128.702mph for the Rapid Honda by DriveLife team which is making its TT debut this year.

After the 'big bikes', it was the turn of the Supersport and Sportbike machinery with Dunlop topping the charts in the Supersport section at 126.922mph on his MD Racing Ducati.

That put the Ballymoney man nearly 23 seconds clear of nearest challenger, Josh Brookes at second quickest (124.271mph) who, in turn, maintained a six-second cushion over third-fastest in Supersport, Peter Hickman who managed 123.584mph on one lap from a standing start.

In the Sportbike timed practice, it was Paul Jordan who set the standard and with the only Sportbike lap at over 120mph - he managed a best from a standing start at 120.208mph.

That placed Jordan more than nine seconds clear of the rest of the chasing pack, however, things were much less clear cut behind as less than two seconds separated Coward in second (119.199mph), Mike Browne in third (119.097mph) and Michael Evans fourth (119.001mph).

Rounding out opening qualifying was the first timed laps of the sidecars, and despite the new restrictions on power introduced this year, the defending champions, Ryan and Callum Crowe dominated early proceedings.

However, the sidecar session was halted due to a red flag following an incident involving sidecar outfit No.28, Maria Costello MBE and Shaun Parker at Brandish.

As of tonight (26 May), Maria's condition was reported as conscious and talking, with reported head injuries, with Maria transferred to Noble's Hospital by airmed for further assessment.

Passenger, Shaun, was reported as conscious and talking, with reported leg and arm injuries, and was transferred to Noble's Hospital by ambulance for further assessment.