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Isle of Man TT 2023: Race schedule, results and how to watch on TV

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman

Peter Hickman became the first rider to break the 136mph lap-record barrier after taking his second Superstock victory of the week to strengthen his claim as the fastest man in Isle of Man TT history.

Clinching his 11th overall victory at the TT to join greats Philip McCallen and Steve Hislop, Hickman obliterated his existing lap record of 135.352mph, set in the 2018 Senior TT, with an incredible 136.358mph on what is theoretically his slower bike.

Leading from start to finish, Hickman once again got the better of Michael Dunlop, the man he has battled for every race victory this week so far, meaning the Northern Irishman will have to wait until Saturday at the earlier if he is to have any chance of breaking the all-time outright victories record, held by his uncle Joey’s tally of 26 - Dunlop is the heavy favourite to win Friday afternoon’s second Supertwin race where he can tie Joey’s 22-year record.

But the first race of the day was all about Hickman, who blitzed his way to a second victory in the space of three days.

“Absolutely brilliant, I’m just massively happy for the team, they’ve been working their arses off all week for me and it’s not easy when you’ve got Michael Dunlop pushing you,” Hickman said.

“I was a bit slow to start with, a bit slow and felt a little achy.”

The record-breaking victory has fuelled suggestions that Hickman could park his FHO Racing BMW Superbike in favour of the Superstock machine, given he struggled in last Sunday’s Superbike TT with brake and gear-shifting issues.

“That’s what’s on everyone’s lips isn’t it?” Hickman said when asked if that’s a genuine possibility. “It’s a good question, I don’t know and we’ll discuss that tonight. The Superstock has its strengths in certain places and the Superbike has its strengths in certain places, so we’ll have a chat tonight. Watch this space.”

Dunlop actually broke the existing Superstock lap record with his final effort but an average of 134.73mph was not enough to snatch victory from Hickman, who by the finish line had an advantage of more than 17 seconds.

However, history still beckons for Dunlop, with the chance to equal Joey’s record still to come and, should he win a second Supertwin TT race of the week, the opportunity to break it on Saturday in the blue-riband Senior TT.

“We knew Pete would be hard work today on the Stocker,” Dunlop said. “We made a step with the bike that was good, but when you make a step on the big bike others make a big step.

“The last lap I knew he [Hickman] had a bit of a gap and he was pushing on. The pace just went quicker again and that’s what the TT is about.”

Dean Harrison came home in third for his fifth podium of the week, with Conor Cummins riding to an impressive fourth after missing four races already this week due to illness.

There was confusion abound on the grid before the flag dropped as Cummins’ Millenco Padgetts Honda team-mate Davey Todd was also struck down ill overnight. The message from the team was that Todd would not be fit to race on Friday, but with just 10 minutes to go Todd’s bike suddenly emerged onto the grid. “If he’s fit enough, he’ll race”, said team owner Clive Padgett, confirming that Todd required an anti-sickness injection in the morning and was subsequently cleared by the medical officer.

With two minutes to go, Todd walked out onto the grid, and after a quick word from Padgett, gave the thumbs up and mounted his Honda, and courageously managed to complete two laps before fatigue got the better of him and he retired in pit lane.

What is the Isle of Man TT?

Over the course of two weeks, the public roads of the Isle of Man shut down and become one of the fastest race circuits in the world, eclipsed only by the Ulster Grand Prix in Northern Ireland which currently boasts the fastest lap average.

The TT features five different categories that this year will all race twice over the course of eight days. Solo riders will jump between Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin machines, while riders will team up with a passenger to compete in the two Sidecar races.

Events are very weather-dependent and lengthy delays can occur, particularly when public roads are used throughout the fortnight when races are not taking place - oil spills, parked cars and rogue wildlife are a common occurrence.

Where can I watch it?

For years, coverage of the TT has only been available through TV highlight shows on ITV4 each night. But last year TT organisers unveiled new plans to provide live coverage online through the TT+ Live Pass, which returns again for 2023.

Access will cost a one-off sum of £19.99 for the fortnight, which will include coverage of all qualifying and race sessions, daily round-ups and hours of exclusive TT programming.

You can also follow race week with Telegraph Sport.

Isle of Man TT 2023 schedule and results

June 3
Monster Energy Supersport Race One results

1. Michael Dunlop 01:11:22.090
2. Peter Hickman +12.329
3. Dean Harrison +0.393
4. Jamie Coward +41.277
5. Davey Todd +2.836

3Wheeling.Media Sidecar TT Race 1

1. Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall 56:53.768
2. Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley +24.066
3. John Holden/Maxime Vasseur +3:15.401
4. Steve Ramsden/Mathew Ramsden +3.551
5. Gary Bryan/Philip Hyde +16.212

June 4
RST Superbike TT

1. Michael Dunlop 1:43:01.854
2. Peter Hickman +8.233
3. Dean Harrison +9.806
4. James Hillier +2:00.343
5. Jamie Coward +10.440

June 6
RL360 Superstock TT Race 1
1. Peter Hickman 51:05.244
2. Michael Dunlop +23.171
3. Dean Harrison +14.827
4. Davey Todd +23.007
5. James Hillier +8.570

Carole Nash Supertwin TT Race 1 - 3-laps

1. Michael Dunlop 56:21.475
2. Mike Browne +26.783
3. Jamie Coward +2.237
4. Peter Hickman +26.045
5. Josh Brookes +11.129

June 7
3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Race 2 - 3-laps

1. Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall 56:41.815
2. Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley +9.147s
3. Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe +47.632
4. Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes +1:36.317
5. Steve Ramsden/Mathew Ramsden +38.961

Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 2

1. Michael Dunlop 1:10:50.234
2. Peter Hickman +9.617
3. Dean Harrison +24.811
4. Davey Todd +11.878
5. Jamie Coward +21.623

June 9
RL360 Superstock TT Race 2 - 3-laps

1. Peter Hickman 50:48.330
2. Michael Dunlop +17.184
3. Dean Harrison +40.836
4. Conor Cummins +18.300
5. Josh Brookes +23.741

2pm: Carole Nash Supertwin TT Race 2 - 3-laps

June 10
12:15pm: Milwaukee Senior TT - 6-laps

Who are the riders to watch?

Peter Hickman is expected to be the man to beat in 2023 after winning nine of the last 16 solo races [not including the TT Zero race. Hickman also has the outright lap record, an average of 135.452mph set back in the 2018 Senior TT, as well as the Superstock TT record. The Monster Energy by FHO Racing BMW rider is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Hickman’s main competitor over those years has been Dean Harrison. Riding this year on the Dao Racing Kawasaki, Harrison has three wins to his name including the 2019 Senior TT.

But both will be keeping an eye on the threat of 21-time TT winner Michael Dunlop, who looks to be in his best form in years and has hit the ground running during qualifying week. Dunlop sits just five race wins behind his uncle Joey Dunlop, who remains the man with the most TT wins in history, and with eight solo race wins up for grabs in 2023 - more than ever before - that gap could be cut significantly by the end of the week.

The Padgetts Honda duo of Davey Todd and local Manxman Conor Cummins are also hotly tipped to be on the pace, although the latter has been struggling with illness throughout qualifying week, while Hickman’s British Superbikes team-mate Josh Brookes returns to the TT for the first time since 2018 and is already threatening the 130mph barrier.

Another TT legend to keep one eye on is John McGuinness, the 24-time winner who is within a whisker of matching Joey Dunlop’s record. At the age of 51 years old, McGuinness’ fastest days may be behind him but he has his sights set on returning to the podium this year with Honda Racing and the veteran can never be ruled out of contention if things are going his way.

How many riders have died?

The TT would not be the challenge it is without its level of risk and danger. In total, 266 riders and passengers have died on the Snaefell Mountain Course, which hosts the TT as well as the Manx Grand Prix and the Classic TT.

There have been 155 deaths caused by accidents in the TT alone, with 2022 proving particularly tragic as six deaths were recorded over the fortnight.