Overview
- Michael Dunlop confirmed on Monday that he will run a Honda CBR1000RR-R in Superbike trim after the Fireblade appeared in his MD Racing tent at the start of practice week, ending public speculation over a Ducati V4 entry.
- Dunlop will continue his Ducati Panigale V2 partnership in Supersport, a collaboration that brought Ducati its first TT wins since 1995 and has delivered multiple victories for the rider and Scars Racing.
- Dean Harrison set the pace in opening Superbike qualifying and outpaced Dunlop in the first session, signalling he is a leading challenger for the big-bike races.
- Peter Hickman returns from a serious 2025 practice crash carrying residual nerve damage but says it should not be a major issue, and John McGuinness marks 30 years since his TT debut with retirement questions still unresolved.
- Late bike choices are common at the Isle of Man TT so the Monday confirmation matters because teams now have firm hardware to finalise mountain-course setup details such as top-speed stability and fuel capacity ahead of races beginning May 30.