Beyond The Podium: The Other Stories Of TT 2026

TT 2026

Not Every Victory Comes With Champagne

Now that the dust has settled on the TT, it gives us a chance to look back at some of the sub-plots that unfolded during the fortnight, away from the glitz of the podium presentations. While Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison, quite rightly, take all the plaudits for the great success they enjoyed this year, the TT is so much more than simply a race to victory.

Realistically, there are only three or four riders out of a field of almost 70 who stand a chance of tasting that sweet champagne on Glencrutchery Road; the level required to win is currently just so high. So, for the rest of the field, it’s all about personal goals and improved performance, as well, of course, as racing at speed around the Mountain Course.

Every rider has their own idea of what achievement looks like and how to strive towards individual glory, personal to them. For some, it might be to achieve a specific lap time or to win a silver or bronze replica trophy, awarded to those who finish within five to 10 per cent of the winner’s race time. For others, it might just be finishing a race.

Rhys Stephenson

One young rider who leaves the island with a sense of satisfaction at a job well done is Rhys Stephenson. The 20-year-old from Skegness in England was crowned the ‘RST Star of Tomorrow’.

Stephenson completed 17 laps in total and managed to take home a bronze replica for his 24th-place finish in the only Sportbike race.

Taking to Instagram, he said:

‘Genuinely honestly lost for words on how amazing everything has been these last few weeks. It’s the best feeling on the planet. To say I’ve never rode a road course before and I’ve managed all of this in just 17 laps, it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Obviously, the weather playing havoc in the 2nd week wasn’t ideal but it is what it is. It was the best week of my life anyway!’

Rhys Stephenson quickly adapted to the Mountain Course on his first visit to the TT.

Stephenson comes with a good pedigree of racing, having raced in the British Talent Cup in BSB, as well as being selected to ride in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2023. He isn’t exactly what you’d call a ‘normal’ TT newcomer, as they have tended to be older and more experienced in recent times. But Rhys, and his distinctive helmet, which features the flag of his native Lincolnshire, is a welcome addition to the paddock and his mature approach was well received this year. Without doubt, one to watch in the future and a worthy winner of his accolade.

James Chawke

Ireland’s James Chawke has been competing at the TT for a number of years and is usually knocking on the door of the top 20. A former Junior Manx GP winner, Chawke’s performances have always put him in the conversation for top privateer at the event, and this year he was rewarded for his endeavours.

In the days following Saturday’s cancelled programme, it was announced that James had been voted the Monster Energy People’s Challenger. Four riders had been nominated for the award — Chawke, Jonathan Perry, Timothee Monot and Baz Furber — but in the end, Chawke was presented the eye-catching trophy by Davey Todd.

James Chawke was rewarded for another committed TT campaign when he was voted the Monster Energy People’s Challenger.

Chawke has now finished 23 of his 28 TT starts, with best results of 11th in the Supertwins race in 2019 and 14th in the SBK TT in 2024. This year he didn’t quite reach those lofty positions, but he did improve his speed over six laps in the SBK TT and showed himself to be capable on various types of machinery across all three categories. 22nd in the Sportbike race was his best finish of the week.

AJ Venter

Allann Venter, known to all as AJ, has been competing at the TT since 2013. But the South African was able to take great pride this year from the fact that he is still improving and moving forward after all these years. Venter finished 22nd in the SBK TT and set his fastest ever lap on the sixth and final circuit. For Venter, that kind of achievement is like a win as he edges ever closer to the seeded rider top 20.

AJ Venter continued to move forward at TT 2026, finishing 22nd in the Superbike TT and setting his fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course.

Mark Parrett

And what can we say about this man? Mark Parrett finally achieved his dream of starting 100 TT races in Friday’s Sportbike race. Last year, he had been on course to make that special number and receive a ‘Gold Replica’ trophy; only seven people own one.

However, a seagull on the Mountain 12 months ago had other ideas when it flew up in front of him around the 33rd Milestone. It was Parrett vs gull and although the gull came off worse, Mark suffered a broken arm that put him out of the event when 100 starts was within reach. It all meant he had to come back this year.

Mark Parrett finally reached the milestone of 100 TT starts in 2026, a target he had been chasing in tribute to his late father.

He was visibly emotional after the race and there were many who were keen to wish him well, including John McGuinness, who was celebrating 30 years at the TT and is one of the seven who have a Gold Replica.

Parrett had decided to achieve 100 starts in tribute to his late father and intended to retire once the job was done. After a 30-year racing career, the 54-year-old is now looking forward to a knee replacement!

Stephen ‘Trev’ Parsons

Stephen Parsons embodies the grit and determination of road racing like few others do. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. Somehow, he managed to fight back and beat the damn thing. Better still, he got back to racing around the Mountain Course after showing much promise at the Manx GP before his illness.

Since returning to the sport, his main goal has been to complete a big six-lap Superbike race, something that would put two fingers up to the cancer. This year he finally managed it.

‘Finally, after one hell of a five-year fight, it’s done’, he wrote on his social media page. ‘Today I completed my first six-lap big-bike TT race.

Five years ago, almost to the day, I was diagnosed with stage four cancer. At the time, there were a lot of things people weren’t sure that I’d ever get to do again. Racing a six-lap TT wasn’t exactly high on anyone’s list.

It’s been a long road, with plenty of highs and lows, setbacks and battles along the way. Somebody definitely made me work for this one. But standing here now, having completed six laps around the Mountain Course, makes every bit of that fight worth it.

And to the big C… you gave it your best shot mate, but you can’t beat me!’

Stephen ‘Trev’ Parsons completed his first six-lap big-bike TT race in 2026, five years after being diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Gary McCoy

Of course, things don’t always go to plan for everyone, such as newcomer Gary McCoy. McCoy is a high-profile rider from Northern Ireland who has been itching to make his TT debut for quite some time.

‘Tonto’ was involved in a serious incident at the 2025 NW 200, which put him out of last year’s TT. This year, he was very much on course to be the fastest newcomer after practice, but bad luck struck once again on lap three of the opening Supersport race. The Team MadBros rider was caught out by a damp patch in the Kerrowmoar section of the course and crashed heavily. McCoy is upbeat, though, and is looking forward to trying again next year, provided he is fully recovered.

He is currently recovering from some broken vertebrae in the Walton Centre in Aintree, England, but is hopeful of being transferred back to Belfast soon. He’s been wearing a neck brace since the accident, and surgeons are hopeful the brace will be sufficient and that surgery will not be required.

McCoy lapped at 124 mph in practice and had managed a lap of almost 120 mph in the Supersport race.

‘We will be back next year if everything’s right to keep learning, progressing and get some racing in, if the wife doesn’t bury me before then!’ he quipped from his hospital bed.

Gary McCoy had been on course to be the fastest newcomer at TT 2026 before crashing out of the opening Supersport race.

Looking Ahead To TT 2027

With TT 2027, the 120th anniversary year, looking in the distance, there are already many questions on people’s minds. This year, Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison might have had things their own way. However, next year Davey Todd will return hungrier than ever alongside team-mate Peter Hickman, who will have another year of recovery under his belt.

Dean Harrison and Honda Racing celebrate the 2026 Senior TT, but attention will soon turn to TT 2027.

Behind them, countless other stories like the ones we have told here will also unfold. Will we see the return of sidecars? Will John McGuinness come back for yet another go?

McGuinness before the start of the opening Superbike TT in 2026, wearing matching retro colours to mark the PBM RS250 Honda he first raced at the TT in 1996.

With a Hollywood movie based on the TT on the horizon, you have to wonder how that will change the landscape and what implications it will have for the races. Will that be positive or not? Only time will tell.

The TT returns to its traditional and slightly later ‘two weeks in June’ format next year. Check back here to find out how things go down in 2027.