Dean Harrison threatens outright TT record in final qualifying

TT 2026

Friday Qualifying

Final practice on the Isle of Man took place on Friday, with a double shakedown for all classes throughout the day. Dean Harrison stole all the headlines when he came within a whisker of breaking the outright lap record on his Superstock bike with a speed of 135.484mph; just 4 tenths slower than Peter Hickman’s 2023 record.

All four sessions went ahead at their scheduled times, and there were no stoppages; something that was a great relief to all concerned, after a disjointed and trying week that saw delayed starts and frequent red flags.

Things kicked off with a morning Superbike/ Superstock session at 1030. While the low-lying parts of the island bathed in sunshine, things were a little less summer-like up on top of Snaefell mountain. Strong winds blew in the opposite direction of the course, meaning head winds for the riders, while cloud-cover made for much duller scenes than those enjoyed in the likes of Douglas and Ramsey.

However, it didn’t seem to have much effect on Dean Harrison’s pace as he set a blisteringly hot lap at 133.653mph straight out of the blocks on his Superbike. The Honda Racing star followed that up on lap 2 with 134.877; at that point the fastest of the week.

Harrison then declared himself happy with the Fireblade in full-fat trim, before indicating that it was time to park it ahead of Sunday’s 6-lap race. He said that he’d be concentrating on the Stocker in the afternoon, ahead of Saturday’s opening contest. And what a treat that turned out to be.

Harrison sends warning shot at 135 mph

Dean did a Superstock double in 2025, and the afternoon session proved he had lost none of his pace. The Manx resident was on course to smash Peter Hickman’s outright lap record right up until he reached those headwinds on the Mountain. At that point, his pace dropped slightly, but nevertheless, when the number 3 machine crossed the line, there was disbelief all around the circuit. When the clocks stopped, it flashed up 135.484 mph; just 4 tenths over Hickman’s lap record, leaving the bookies no choice but to have him as odds-on favourite for tomorrow’s 3-lapper.

Dunlop still searching for final 1000 cc set-up

Michael Dunlop has been running lap after lap on the Hawk racing Honda Superbike this week and has regularly been in and out of the pits, making adjustments and searching for set-up. Indeed, at the end of lap 1 in the morning session, he was said to be making a ‘raft of changes’ by the circuit commentary team before heading out onto lap 2. He was a single second faster on his 2nd circuit before shaving 3.5s off on lap 3 to post a speed of 132.15.

Despite Dunlop being the man who has set the fastest ever practice week time (135.9 back in 2023), normally, he, like his uncle Joey before him, isn’t one to blow the opposition away before racing begins. This week, he has slowly built up his speed on the 1000cc bikes, flip-flopping between the SBK Honda and Stock BMW. But hasn’t quite managed to record a 133mph lap yet, while Harrison has consistently lapped at that speed.

It doesn’t seem like Dunlop has been sandbagging, though, due to the frantic nature of his frequent calls to pitlane and his focus on the Superbike at the expense of seat time on his BMW stock bike. However, with the opening Stock race less than 12 hours away, he did 2 laps on the MD Racing BMW this afternoon and slotted into 2nd in that session with a lap speed of 131.946; impressive but still 27 seconds slower than his rival, Harrison.

Michael has looked good on the Stocker at road races in Ireland in recent times; demonstrating a fast-flowing style, while trouncing the opposition at places like Tandragee and Cookstown. But going by all that’s gone on this week, it would be a real upset if he were to usurp Harrison in tomorrow’s opening race.

Hickman building, but still an unknown quantity in 2026

Peter Hickman is a bit of an unknown quantity this year. He has stated that last year’s heavy practice crash is not in his thoughts, but team mate and team co-owner, Davey Todd admitted on commentary today that he felt Peter had been perhaps riding a little stiff- a result of being nervous. In saying that he’s slowly worked his way back up to speed all week, and like Dunlop has banked times that most riders in the field could only dream of. But as yet, the pair haven’t come near lap-record speeds and it’s anyone’s guess what the number 10 has in his locker.

Hickman was black-flagged on the run into Parliament Square this afternoon, to allow a marshal to inspect the bottom of his bike, as there appeared to be something hanging down from the fairing. In the end, it turned out to be no cause for concern, and Hickman was sent on his way. At the close of play he said he was thankful that due diligence had taken place, particularly with his big crash last year in mind. It should be said he still lapped at 124mph despite the long pause in Ramsey.

Brookes puts himself in the podium conversation

Josh Brookes topped the Superbike timesheets this afternoon as the other big players concentrated on their stock bikes. But his time of 132.2 was absolutely nothing to be sniffed at and on a power with anything Dunlop and Hickman have been capable of this week.

Brookes is so much happier this year on the DAO racing Honda Fireblade than he was last year on the Jackson racing machine. The 2x BSB champ looks more settled on the bike and as a result we’re seeing the best of him. It might just be that this is the most confident and consistent we’ve ever seen him around the Mountain course. Could he be in the hunt for victory in tomorrow’s race? That remains to be seen and one would probably say that realistically that would require Harrison to drop out at least. But in the hunt for a podium? Almost certainly and he is definitely the best of the rest after the three TT ‘aliens’.

Johnson just shy of 130 mph

Other riders who topped 130mph today include Ian Hutchinson (130.7) and Jamie Coward (130.122) with Davo Johnson just falling short with a time of 129.847mph. All three did those times on their Stockers.

Browne heads Sportsbike as Dunlop remains benchmark

In the smaller classes this afternoon, Mike Browne topped the Sportsbike session with a speed of 121.348mph ahead of Hickman on the Swan Yamaha and Jamie Coward on the Padgetts Paton. But none of the three got near Dunlop’s lap record speed from earlier in the week. Realistically, it would look unlikely that anyone will touch MD in this one if his bike lasts the distance.

Dunlop fastest again in Supersport

Likewise, in Supersport. Dunlop’s Scars racing Ducati topped the timesheets in both morning and afternoon supersport sessions. On each occasion, he was roughly 10s up on Peter Hickman. Dean Harrison was 3rd in the morning session, with Brookes 3rd in the afternoon. These 2 smaller categories don’t race until mid-week and should get at least 1 more lap of practice before they do.

But tomorrow, all eyes will be on Dean Harrison, who has raised the bar again today. Tomorrow racing kicks off at 1100, and there is much hope that the weather will be kind enough to allow that to happen.

Sidecar cancellation leaves Superstock in the spotlight

With the sidecars cancelled, that means tomorrow’s programme consists of just the 3-lap Stock race, which, all being well, will take less than 1 hour to run.

Weather window now the next hurdle

The forecast doesn’t look too bad, but it is showing cloud cover from midday, and if that comes down too low over the mountain, it could mean no racing, as the medical helicopter can’t fly. Rain is then said to come in at 1500, so there are a lot of fingers and toes crossed on the island this evening that we can make use of that window of opportunity and get this first race away.

Fastest Laps This Week

Superbike Qualifying Speeds

POS

RIDERBIKESPEEDSESSION

1	D Harrison	Hon	134.877	Fri 29
2	P Hickman	BMW	132.712	Fri 29
3	J Brookes	Hon	132.220	Fri 29
4	M Dunlop	Hon	132.149	Fri 29
5	J McGuinness	Hon	130.903	Fri 29
6	J Coward	Hon	130.122	Fri 29
7	I Hutchinson	BMW	130.052	Fri 29
8	N Harrison	Hon	130.010	Tue 26
9	M Browne	Hon	129.867	Wed 27
10	P Jordan	Hon	129.833	Fri 29
11	D Johnson	Kaw	129.789	Fri 29
12	D Herbertson	BMW	129.776	Wed 27
13	P Crowe	BMW	128.530	Wed 27
14	M Evans	Hon	128.441	Wed 27
15	S Anderson	BMW	128.324	Fri 29
16	J Trummer	BMW	127.630	Fri 29
17	M Simpson	Hon	127.334	Fri 29
18	B McCormack	BMW	127.109	Wed 27
19	M Rees	Hon	126.668	Fri 29
20	R Hodson	Hon	126.619	Fri 29
21	M Sweeney	BMW	126.328	Fri 29
22	M Bottalico	BMW	126.243	Fri 29
23	E Kostamo	BMW	125.768	Fri 29
24	J Perry	Hon	125.602	Wed 27
25	A Venter	BMW	125.594	Fri 29
26	J Cringle	BMW	125.565	Fri 29
27	S Bonetti	Hon	125.082	Fri 29
28	B Furber	Hon	125.066	Wed 27
29	E Ferre	Hon	124.887	Fri 29
30	J Chawke	BMW	124.493	Wed 27
31	B Burrell	BMW	124.416	Fri 29
32	R Hardisty	Hon	124.363	Wed 27
33	S Parsons	BMW	124.126	Wed 27
34	M Russell	Hon	123.958	Fri 29
35	J Yeardsley	Hon	123.846	Wed 27
36	J Thompson	Suz	123.814	Wed 27
37	P Williams	Hon	123.604	Fri 29
38	K Keyes	Hon	123.533	Fri 29
39	R Whitehall	Suz	123.495	Fri 29
40	M Stevenson	Yam	123.463	Fri 29
41	T Robinson	Yam	123.387	Wed 27
42	T Monot	Kaw	123.372	Wed 27
43	C Cummins	BMW	123.287	Wed 27
44	T Weeden	Hon	122.436	Wed 27
45	M Goodings	BMW	121.853	Fri 29
46	S Johnson	Hon	121.023	Wed 27
47	M Parrett	Suz	120.203	Wed 27
48	A Blanc	Yam	120.098	Fri 29
49	D Brook	BMW	118.896	Fri 29
50	C Canny	Apr	118.648	Wed 27
51	D Datzer	BMW	117.049	Wed 27

Superstock Qualifying Speeds

POS

RIDER

BIKE

SPEED

SESSION

1	D Harrison	Hon	135.484	Fri 29
2	M Dunlop	BMW	131.952	Wed 27
3	J Brookes	Hon	131.943	Wed 27
4	I Hutchinson	BMW	130.700	Fri 29
5	N Harrison	Hon	130.318	Wed 27
6	J Coward	Hon	130.122	Fri 29
7	M Browne	Hon	129.867	Wed 27
8	D Johnson	Kaw	129.847	Fri 29
9	P Jordan	Hon	129.833	Fri 29
10	D Herbertson	BMW	129.776	Wed 27
11	J McGuinness	Hon	129.756	Fri 29
12	P Hickman	BMW	129.725	Fri 29
13	C Cummins	BMW	129.014	Fri 29
14	M Evans	Hon	128.441	Wed 27
15	S Anderson	BMW	128.324	Fri 29
16	J Trummer	BMW	127.630	Fri 29
17	M Simpson	Hon	127.334	Fri 29
18	B McCormack	BMW	127.109	Wed 27
19	R Hodson	Hon	126.704	Wed 27
20	M Rees	Hon	126.668	Fri 29
21	M Sweeney	BMW	126.328	Fri 29
22	M Bottalico	BMW	126.243	Fri 29
23	P Crowe	BMW	125.999	Wed 27
24	E Kostamo	BMW	125.768	Fri 29
25	J Perry	Hon	125.602	Wed 27
26	A Venter	BMW	125.594	Fri 29
27	J Cringle	BMW	125.565	Fri 29
28	S Bonetti	Hon	125.082	Fri 29
29	B Furber	Hon	125.066	Wed 27
30	E Ferre	Hon	124.887	Fri 29
31	J Chawke	BMW	124.493	Wed 27
32	B Burrell	BMW	124.416	Fri 29
33	R Hardisty	Hon	124.363	Wed 27
34	S Parsons	BMW	124.126	Wed 27
35	G McCoy	BMW	124.108	Fri 29
36	M Russell	Hon	123.958	Fri 29
37	J Yeardsley	Hon	123.846	Wed 27
38	J Thompson	Suz	123.814	Wed 27
39	P Williams	Hon	123.604	Fri 29
40	K Keyes	Hon	123.533	Fri 29
41	R Whitehall	Suz	123.495	Fri 29
42	M Stevenson	Yam	123.463	Fri 29
43	T Robinson	Yam	123.387	Wed 27
44	T Monot	Kaw	123.372	Wed 27
45	T Weeden	Hon	122.436	Wed 27
46	M Goodings	BMW	121.853	Fri 29
47	S Johnson	Hon	121.023	Wed 27
48	M Parrett	Suz	120.203	Wed 27
49	A Blanc	Yam	119.621	Wed 27
50	D Brook	BMW	118.896	Fri 29
51	C Canny	Apr	118.648	Wed 27
52	C Szczypek	Kaw	117.881	Wed 27
53	D Forbes	Suz	117.830	Wed 27
54	D Datzer	BMW	117.049	Wed 27

Supersport Qualifying Speeds

POS

RIDER

BIKE

SPEED

SESSION

1	M Dunlop	Duc	129.557	Wed 27
2	P Hickman	Tri	127.301	Fri 29
3	D Harrison	Hon	127.242	Wed 27
4	J Brookes	Suz	126.848	Fri 29
5	P Jordan	Duc	125.897	Wed 27
6	D Herbertson	Tri	125.857	Wed 27
7	J Coward	Hon	125.357	Fri 29
8	M Browne	Yam	125.312	Fri 29
9	I Hutchinson	Duc	124.890	Fri 29
10	C Cummins	Suz	124.044	Fri 29
11	M Evans	Tri	123.962	Wed 27
12	N Harrison	Hon	123.794	Wed 27
13	R Hodson	Duc	123.578	Wed 27
14	M Rees	Hon	123.452	Fri 29
15	J Thompson	Hon	122.910	Wed 27
16	J Yeardsley	Suz	122.838	Fri 29
17	D Johnson	Kaw	122.433	Wed 27
18	S Anderson	Suz	122.265	Wed 27
19	E Kostamo	Duc	122.077	Fri 29
20	R Hardisty	Yam	122.048	Fri 29
21	B Furber	Tri	122.014	Fri 29
22	J Trummer	Tri	121.637	Fri 29
23	B McCormack	Suz	121.627	Fri 29
24	M Sweeney	Yam	121.623	Wed 27
25	P Y Bian	Tri	121.591	Fri 29
26	J Cringle	Duc	121.570	Fri 29
27	M Simpson	Tri	121.351	Fri 29
28	M Bottalico	Yam	121.079	Wed 27
29	T Shann	Tri	120.977	Wed 27
30	A Venter	Hon	120.895	Fri 29
31	K Keyes	Yam	120.395	Wed 27
32	M Russell	Suz	119.918	Tue 26
33	G McCoy	Suz	119.855	Fri 29
34	J Chawke	Suz	119.710	Wed 27
35	C Canny	Suz	119.321	Fri 29
36	M Mace	Suz	119.317	Wed 27
37	L Majcan	Yam	119.240	Fri 29
38	T Monot	Yam	119.239	Wed 27
39	E Ferre	Yam	119.226	Wed 27
40	B Burrell	Tri	118.963	Fri 29
41	R Garside	Tri	118.896	Fri 29
42	T Weeden	Tri	118.695	Fri 29
43	D Ingham	Yam	118.645	Wed 27
44	J Fowler	Tri	118.172	Wed 27
45	S Johnson	Suz	117.926	Wed 27
46	R Whitehall	Yam	117.759	Wed 27
47	D Datzer	Tri	117.733	Fri 29
48	D Forbes	Suz	117.293	Fri 29
49	P Cassidy	Duc	116.419	Wed 27
50	A Majola	Yam	116.213	Wed 27
51	A Blanc	Yam	116.140	Wed 27
52	C Szczypek	Kaw	116.018	Wed 27
53	M Morris	Duc	115.958	Fri 29
54	J Halliday	Suz	115.496	Wed 27
55	D Brook	Tri	115.192	Fri 29
56	M Dokoupil	Yam	114.352	Wed 27
57	M Gahan	Suz	108.527	Tue 26

Sportbike Qualifying Speeds

POS

RIDER

BIKE

SPEED

SESSION

1	M Dunlop	Pat	123.557	Wed 27
2	M Browne	Pat	121.348	Fri 29
3	P Hickman	Yam	120.803	Fri 29
4	P Jordan	Apr	120.649	Fri 29
5	M Evans	Yam	120.299	Wed 27
6	J Coward	Pat	119.832	Wed 27
7	M Sweeney	Apr	119.088	Wed 27
8	J Thompson	Apr	118.904	Wed 27
9	A Venter	Kaw	118.868	Wed 27
10	J Yeardsley	Yam	118.860	Wed 27
11	D Herbertson	Tri	118.589	Fri 29
12	A Majola	Pat	118.018	Tue 26
13	M Dokoupil	Apr	117.931	Fri 29
14	B Furber	Yam	117.785	Wed 27
15	R Hodson	Pat	117.157	Wed 27
16	S Bonetti	Apr	116.916	Fri 29
17	J Perry	Apr	116.606	Wed 27
18	D Johnson	Pat	116.144	Tue 26
19	R Hardisty	Apr	115.706	Wed 27
20	L Arrowsmith	Apr	115.456	Wed 27
21	T Shann	Kaw	115.244	Wed 27
22	S Anderson	CFM	115.242	Wed 27
23	C Canny	Apr	115.163	Wed 27
24	F Curinga	Yam	115.098	Wed 27
25	R Garside	Tri	114.979	Wed 27
26	T Weeden	Apr	114.655	Fri 29
27	M Russell	Apr	114.574	Fri 29
28	P Williams	Kaw	114.226	Wed 27
29	R Stephenson	Tri	114.118	Fri 29
30	C Moore	Kaw	113.861	Tue 26
31	W Bourgeais	Apr	113.423	Wed 27
32	M Morris	Apr	113.375	Wed 27
33	J Chawke	Apr	113.238	Wed 27
34	B Burrell	Tri	113.020	Fri 29
35	J Cringle	CFM	112.870	Wed 27
36	P Y Bian	Tri	111.773	Wed 27
37	B McCormack	Apr	111.487	Wed 27
38	P Cassidy	Kaw	111.229	Fri 29
39	S Johnson	Apr	111.129	Wed 27
40	P Murray	Apr	110.732	Wed 27
41	M Yamanaka	Pat	110.646	Fri 29
42	M Parrett	Apr	110.406	Wed 27
43	A Hornby	Pat	110.188	Fri 29
44	J Halliday	Tri	109.305	Fri 29
45	K Keyes	Yam	109.000	Tue 26
46	A Stephens	Apr	108.145	Fri 29
47	M Gahan	Apr	107.603	Wed 27