TT 2026: Flying Dean Harrison tops 135mph in final qualifying as Honda rider throws down gauntlet to his rivals
Dean Harrison upped his pace further to mark himself out as the favourite for the big bike classes at the Isle of Man TT after a blistering 135.484mph lap in final qualifying on Friday.
Harrison was only four tenths of a second outside the qualifying lap record after the Honda Racing rider did two laps on his Superstock machine in the afternoon.
The 37-year-old was also fastest in the Superbike class, lapping at 134.877mph in the penultimate session.
The five-time TT winner set the fastest lap of qualifying week on his Superstock machine and Harrison, who won both corresponding races in 2025, will line up as a hot favourite in Saturday’s scheduled opening Superstock TT.
Most riders opted to go out on their Superstock machines in the final session, with Michael Dunlop lapping at 131.946mph on his MD Racing BMW to go second behind Harrison.
Peter Hickman (8TEN Racing BMW) did not complete a lap in the session after an issue with his M1000RR.
Ian Hutchinson was third fastest on the Team RST BMW, lapping at 130.7mph with Jamie Coward fourth on the Rapid Honda at 130.122mph.
The top six was completed by David Johnson (Platinum Club Kawasaki) and Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing by Prosper2 Honda), who lapped at 129.847mph and 129.833mph respectively.
Mike Browne was seventh quickest on the MD/Russell Racing Honda (129.805mph) with 23-time winner John McGuinness (Honda Racing) eighth with a speed of 129.756mph.
Shaun Anderson from Banbridge was 11th fastest in the Superstock session on the Penz13 BMW (128.324mph) with Waterford’s Brian McCormack 14th on the Roadhouse Macau BMW (126.986mph).
Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW) did 126.328mph to end the session in 16th.
A handful of riders rode their Superbike machines in the final session, with Josh Brookes leading the way on the DAO Racing Honda at 132.22mph.
Manx rider Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles Honda) was second fastest at 129.791mph from a standing start, with McGuinness (Honda Racing) third with a speed of 128.544mph from a standing start.