TT 2026: Organisers prioritise Senior race on Friday after week of weather chaos plays havoc with schedule
The Milwaukee Senior TT takes centre stage on Friday as the Isle of Man organisers attempt to get back on track after a week of weather chaos and schedule disruption.
No racing took place on Wednesday or Thursday because of wet weather.
With a mixed forecast over the weekend, Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson is hoping to run three races on Friday.
The second Monster Energy Supersport race is up first at 11:45 BST over three laps, with the opening Carole Nash Sportbike race (2 laps) set for 14:15 BST.
Running the prestigious Senior race (16:15 BST) is the priority for the organisers after the TT’s showpiece event was cancelled in 2025 because of high winds.
It was only the second time in the 118-year history of the event that Senior did not take place, with 2012’s cancellation due to wet weather the first year without the famous race, ironically in Thompson’s maiden stint at the helm.
The Senior TT has been brought forward by a day to allow the best chance for the race to proceed, albeit over a shortened distance of four laps instead of six.
Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison is the big favourite after a dominant success in the RST Superbike race, which he won from Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop.
Harrison won the Senior once previously in 2019 and the 37-year-old should take all the beating given his current form.
“I feel like I’m riding well, feeling good, we’ve had a win and a second here so far,” said Harrison.
“I’ve got a win in every single one now: I’ve got Superbike, Supersport, Senior, Superstock. So, hopefully there’s a few more to come.”
Ballymoney’s Dunlop battled handling issues with his MD/Hawk Racing Honda and said he wasn’t optimistic the problems would be resolved.
However, the 37-year-old clinched a record-extending 34th TT in Tuesday’s Monster Energy Supersport opener and will again be the rider to beat in the middleweight class on the Scars/MD Racing Ducati.
Dunlop also holds strong claims in the Sportbike race and set an unofficial lap record in qualifying on his Paton.
“We’ve got 34 wins now and hopefully we can keep plugging on,” he said.
“We’ve got that bit of momentum, the bike felt good, but it’s always tight racing against these lads.”