'Slightly daunting' year ahead for 16-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson in BMW and Ducati challenge
Ian Hutchinson may be one of the most experienced competitors at the Isle of Man TT, but the 16-time winner says he is facing a “slightly daunting” challenge in 2026 as he runs his own team for the first time in 21 years.
The Yorkshireman remains the only rider ever to have won five races in a week around the Mountain Course after a memorable year in 2010, when he completed a clean sweep of Superbike, Supersport (x2), Superstock and Senior TT race victories with Clive Padgett’s Honda squad.
Hutchinson’s last TT win was achieved in 2017 in the Superstock race but the 46-year-old is still the fourth most successful solo competitor ever behind Michael Dunlop (33 wins), Joey Dunlop (26) and John McGuinness (23).
After riding for Michael Laverty’s MLAV Racing outfit in 2025, Hutchinson will spearhead a new venture for protective equipment brand RST on BMW machinery in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races. He will also ride a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport machine for Northern Ireland team Burrows Engineering by RK Racing.
“It’s been 21 years since I last ran my own team, and now feels like the right time to do it again,” said Hutchinson ahead of TeamRST’s maiden TT campaign.
“It’s slightly daunting, but this project is very personal to me. After everything I’ve experienced at the TT I still have that drive to prove we can compete at the very front.
“Everyone involved has come on this journey with me, and I want it to work for all of us. To be building this team together with these amazing partners who’ve supported me for so long means a lot.
“We’re aiming for that one spot, and I want everyone to get something out of this.”
Hutchinson’s career has been hampered by injury, most significantly following a serious accident at the end of the 2010 season at Silverstone, when Hutchinson sustained a badly broken leg.
He fought back against adversity to return to winning ways at the TT and Hutchinson remains driven to upset the odds once again.
As part of the collaboration, RST will produce a dedicated TeamRST documentary series following Hutchinson’s and the team’s preparation for the 2026 TT, providing behind-the-scenes access to machine development, technical development, testing and the logistical demands of preparing for the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, which will also be featured on the TT’s free-to-watch digital streaming platform, TT+.
Stuart Millington, VP of RST, said: “Launching TeamRST is a defining moment for our brand. We’re doing this with one goal, giving Ian the package he needs to win at this year’s Isle of Man TT.
“We have been working with Ian for over 15 years. Ian is one of the most accomplished and determined competitors in TT history, and his experience makes him the perfect rider to lead this project.”