Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness reveals 2027 plans - 'I didn't want to finish the TT on a red flag'

The Honda Racing rider competed in the final round of the 2026 National Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent over the weekend.

McGuinness revealed he intends to compete at selected British championship round next year along with the North West 200 and TT.

The Morecambe man confirmed he would testing with the Honda team and says he remains motivated to keep racing.

He finished fifth in the Superbike race this year, recording his fastest six laps around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course as he marked 30 years since his debut at the event.

However, the blue riband Senior TT was declared a result after one lap after Finland’s Erno Kostamo crashed at the 11th Milestone and McGuinness, who was confirmed in 11th position, said he “didn’t want to finish that way”.

“I’m in a good spot, I can’t really say too much but it looks like we’re going to have the leathers on next year,” McGuinness told TNT Sports.

“I can’t leave it alone, it’s like a disease. The job’s sort of a changed a little bit, some ambassador stuff, some different bits and pieces with Honda, but I still like putting the leathers on and that’s the problem.

“I’m going to go testing with the team and I’m going to be riding next year with the team, and we’ll be on the grid at some various races.

“We’re going to pick and choose a few BSB rounds but the North West and TT’s on the horizon.

“I didn’t want to finish the TT on a red flag! It was a red flag in the Senior and I didn’t want to finish that way, but I’m still motivated, still focused, and I still want to improve myself.

“Even though I look a bit saggy around the old face and a bit heavier on the belly, the fire’s still burning and I’m enjoying it still.”

The 54-year-old has won the prestigious Senior TT seven times and shares the record for the most wins in the historic race with Mike Hailwood.

He is the third most successful rider in the history of the event with 23 victories behind Michael Dunlop (36) and Joey Dunlop (26).

At the Brands Hatch finale, McGuinness was 18th in the first race on Saturday but finished 12th in Sunday’s final race, which was held in cold and wet conditions.

“I didn’t think I was going to do it and I was sitting on the line thinking ‘this is going to be a long race’,” he said.

“But I just got into a nice little rhythm, hit all my apexes, and I thought, ‘it’s the end of the season, a bag of points’.

“Yesterday I was average so today I needed to redeem myself a little bit. It was tricky but we got to the end and I did really enjoy that.”

Next year’s North West 200 takes place from May 11 to 15, while the Isle of Man TT runs from May 31 to June 12.