TT 2026: Delayed debutant Gary McCoy hails first experience of legendary Mountain Course as 'everything I thought it would be and more'
Cookstown’s Gary McCoy says his first experience of the legendary Isle of Man TT course exceeded his expectations.
McCoy was due to make his debut at the TT in 2025 but was ruled out for most of last year following a crash at the North West 200, when he was struck by English rider Craig Neve at Mill Road roundabout.
The Co Tyrone man only made his racing return at the Sunflower Trophy short circuit meeting at Bishopscourt in Co Down five months later.
However, McCoy made his road racing comeback this year at the Spring Cup meeting at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough, and returned to the North West 200 a few weeks ago with his Madbros Racing team.
The Ulsterman will contest the Superstock TT races on a BMW M1000RR and the Supersport events on a next generation Suzuki GSX-R750.
He experienced the 37.73-mile Mountain Course at racing speeds for the first time on Monday but was limited to a handful of laps when practice and qualifying was suspended following a serious red flag incident.
Eight spectators and a rider were taken to hospital for treatment after a machine went into a group of people who were watching practice at Parliament Square in Ramsey.
Yesterday, the TT organisers said six spectators and the rider have been discharged from hospital. The other two spectators involved have been flown to the UK for specialist treatment, Manx Care confirmed.
Speaking after his first laps on Monday, McCoy said: “I’ve done three and a half laps so far, but it feels good.
“It is everything I thought it would be and more. I’m trying to build into it and get the miles.
“I’m also getting physio because the body isn’t completely right yet.
“I was worrying it might not click but once I was on the bike it started to flow.”
McCoy joked that his prep work for the biggest motorcycle road race in the world began 27 years ago.
“I’ve been watching on-boards [video footage] for 27 years!” he added. “When you want something bad enough you grab it with both hands when you get your chance.”
Fellow newcomer Franco Bourne has withdrawn from the TT citing personal reasons. The former Honda British Superbike rider was entered on a Paton for Ian Lougher’s team in the Sportbike class.
Limavady’s Michael Gahan is also among this year’s TT debutants after building his experience of the Mountain Course by racing at the Manx Grand Prix, where he sealed a podium in the Junior race in 2025.
Donegal man Caomhan Canny is making his debut at the TT for Coleraine team Scott Racing after winning the Senior Manx Grand Prix last year.