'No brainer' for Paul Jordan to continue with Jackson Racing as team owner says Ducati will be 'same as Michael Dunlop's'
Paul Jordan admits it was an easy decision to remain with Jackson Racing for a third consecutive season as the Northern Ireland rider gears up for another big year.
Jordan achieved a childhood dream in 2025 when he won the second Supertwin race at the North West 200, where he used to watch his racing heroes as a young boy.
A podium finisher in the Supertwin class at the Isle of Man TT, the Magherafelt man claimed a third place last June on the Jackson Racing Aprilia RS660.
However, he rates his performance in the second Supersport race, when Jordan sealed fourth behind Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison and Davey Todd, as his best result of the 2025 festival.
The 34-year-old rode a Honda CBR600RR last year but has made the switch to an Italian Ducati Panigale V2, which team owner Alan Jackson says is “the same as Michael Dunlop’s”.
Ballymoney man Dunlop won both Supersport races at the TT last year on a Ducati and was also victorious in the opening race in the class at the North West.
Jordan will again ride 1000cc Honda Fireblade machinery in the Superbike and Superstock races and will set out with the objective of “moving up the ladder a bit more”.
“With the exception of the Supersport class, everything’s the same with the Jackson Racing team this year and continuing with them for a third successive year was a no-brainer,” Jordan said.
“I’ve had my best results with them so I’m looking forward to getting going for another year. The aim is to build on a strong 2025 season and I’m hoping we can move up the ladder that bit more.
“The switch to the Ducati is something that I believe will stand us in good stead and I’ve already had a couple of outings on the bike, so continuing with the same team, same crew and same bikes gives us a solid foundation in terms of preparation and confidence.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the Island and getting the racing underway.”
Team boss Jackson said the continued association with Jordan underscored Jordan’s “talent and potential”.
“It’ll be our third year together with Paul and that speaks volumes of how we see his talent and potential, and having already enjoyed some good success together – none more so than last year’s Supertwin TT podium – we’re hoping to keep building and keep progressing in 2026 with the continuity helping us improve on last year,” he said.
“We’re sticking with the Honda and Aprilia whilst the Ducati V2 Panigale will be the same as Michael Dunlop’s and it’s all with the aim of giving Paul the tools to do the job.
“We’re also continuing with Prosper2 for the third year, and we simply want Paul to go out there and enjoy himself and if he does that, the results will come.”
Jordan clinched his first TT podium in the 2022 Supertwin TT.
Last year, he achieved personal best lap times across every class, with a lap of 121.899mph in the second Supertwin race making him the third fastest rider ever in the class.
Jordan – who was 10th in the Superbike TT – recorded a lap of 126.358mph in the Supersport class on the Jackson Racing Honda.