I hadn't realised that Whitham has been battling cancer for the past year.
Without posting any race spoilers......blimey, Harrison's opening lap was mind bending!
James still did some of his BSB work with a woolly beenie on and no eyebrows, he looked proper grey but credit to him he kept on doing what he loves.
Jodie Kidd doing everything she can to be ruled out of getting the Top Gear job. She really is abysmal.
I saw Jodie last w/e in the paddock. She couldn't string a sentence together. Swearing like a Trooper was her highlight.
Road racing is ****ing amazing. The allure for road bike riders is almost addictive. Far closer than F1 fans or moto gp.
Yet top short circuit riders won't do it. It's too dangerous.
I used to want to do it, was going to, but a rule change at the time prevented me. Now 13 years later I'm glad.
There are other safer ways of finding that buzz.
This is controversial, but how many road racers do well on short circuits? Those that do tend not to ride the roads much longer.
No disrespect to road racers. I mean it. I love them all. But more years, brings more questions, and the value of human life just becomes that bit more prominent.
People make the comparison between IoM and F1 in the sixties and seventies, and I'll tell you what I see as the difference - for F1, the danger and loss of life was seperate and unecessary to the sport, but the very nature of real road racing is that risk to life is very, very real. For a Jackie Stewart or a Niki Lauda (and the majority of drivers of the era) , that risk was unacceptable and both cars and tracks had to be changed - for anyone that races superbikes on the roads, the risk should be mitigated as much as possible but the sport is fundamentally limited by the roads it races on - accept the risk or not. It saddens me inordantely every time someone passes, but I applaud and fully support the right of racers to race where they choose.
@Rich_s. thanks for that link. My view on the TT is, make it as safe as is practical but let them ride. So much of life is sanitised but this isn't and its worth the cost for those that ride. Its tough when it all goes wrong mind.
Comparing road racing and road racers to short circuit racing doesn’t seem to me to be relevant. The two are completely different disciplines, with different skill sets and mental attitudes required. Road racers are used to keeping something in reserve, so it’s not surprising they often struggle on short circuits.
This doesn’t apply to Michael Dunlop of course who just strikes me as an out and out loon!
This is controversial, but how many road racers do well on short circuits? Those that do tend not to ride the roads much longer.
Fogarty & Hislop were pretty handy but I suspect that you're largely correct.
pondo
People make the comparison between IoM and F1 in the sixties and seventies, and I’ll tell you what I see as the difference – for F1, the danger and loss of life was seperate and unecessary to the sport, but the very nature of real road racing is that risk to life is very, very real.
If I recall correctly (going by the BBC doc) weren't people indifferent or opposed to making F1 safer at the time because it was seen as a normal part of the culture? A lot of the tracks were on roads or partial road and circuit. Is it the road circuit aspect that you're describing as intrinsic and necessary or is it the danger?
for anyone that races superbikes on the roads, the risk should be mitigated as much as possible but the sport is fundamentally limited by the roads it races on – accept the risk or not. It saddens me inordantely every time someone passes, but I applaud and fully support the right of racers to race where they choose.
I support people's right to do dangerous sports if they wish, but the TT (and similar road racing events here in Ireland) make me uncomfortable for a couple of reasons. When people die (as they inevitably do) the outpouring is almost always the same, he knew the risks, died doing what he loved etc, ride on forever etc etc but I don't entirely buy that and the line has to be drawn somewhere.
Children, especially younger children can't possibly understand or condone what their fathers are doing and the extent to which wives/partners want their husbands to race vs tolerate it will vary.
Not all deaths are glorious, and not all sacrifices are meaningful. If a rider died at every World Cup Downhill race would it be acceptable to the wider fan base? If not why not.
What's the upper acceptable limit for deaths at a road race like the TT? One to five seems tolerable. What would happen if 15 or 16 riders die? Right it off as a bad year and try again next year?I wouldn't seek to ban it, or tell people not to do it but I think the bikes are now far to fast for the courses and road racing culture has to be honest with it's self about the importance of what they are doing vs the risks.
Couple of good interviews with Dunlop and Hutchy on the guardian website this week
I like the new footage. Cameras and helicopter shots are from different places, and the shots from the helicopters really show the angles and shape of the roads.
Much better.
Commentary is a bit bleak, but they’ve got to warm up into it.
Peter Hickman is the fastest short track rider of the current top 5 TT riders. He’s had a few BSB wins and is as fast as anyone on his day. Michael Ritter used to be one of the top BSB riders and Hutchy was pretty useful on a supersport or superstock bike in BSB. It must be difficult to switch between the two disciplines as pushing a 100% and falling off several times a year is the norm on short circuits, but you don’t want to come off once in the roads.
Partially in response to Jim jam as a motorcycle rider who once tried to fling himself around the isle of man I absolutely understand the addiction. If I had not got married had kids etc I am sure I would have given it a serious go.
The IOM TT is the last great test of a human beings abilıty to step in to the arena (in the first world any way) and risk your life in pursuit of glory.
I have had the piss taken out of me in previous years for stating this on here but hey ho no one rides the IOM for money .....
The IOM layes bare the "softness" in all of us, for me Ian Bells death last year really hurt as i had known him for many years, but I doubt he would have swapped one minute of the island for a life less ordinary.
Apples and oranges innit?
Rea faster on a Superbike than the GP riders. What could he achieve on the roads?
Hizzy was faster than Vale at Brands in 2002.
Was lucky to be at the Gooseneck in '92 for the Hizzy v Fogarty epic. I really don't want to see anyone going harder on road or track. Robert's crash that year.
I can't watch the North West, it's just too much. A big mess of a race, too brutal and your just waiting for someone to die. Robert Dunlop's death and Michael's win just finished that for me.
Dunno why the TT is different, but it is. Bruce talking about feeling weak after chemo five minutes before the start, DJ, Joey on the lightweights showing what class and experience can do,
Hailwood, Steve Wynne and that Ducati.
Meeting Dave Molyneaux buying a sandwich and him being amazed at being mobbed by a bussload of Japanese tourists.
Ian ****ing Hutchinson.
I admire GP racers, but the road guys are the best of us, a breed apart.
oldmanmtb
The IOM TT is the last great test of a human beings abilıty to step in to the arena (in the first world any way) and risk your life in pursuit of glory.
That's your perception, and of course you're entitled to your opinion but outside of the road racing scene it's just a motorbike race. People involved/fans of in a given sport will romanticise it.
The IOM layes bare the “softness” in all of us, for me Ian Bells death last year really hurt as i had known him for many years, but I doubt he would have swapped one minute of the island for a life less ordinary.
Again, I wouldn't petition to ban it, motorsports are fun, risk and danger are part of it but does death have to be a part of it? There will always be men who push everything to the limits to prove they are the best at something, it's not always wise to give them a platform.
Well the little 600’s are flying along 😳
New lap records... ☄️🥊
Having raced on the roads in Ireland and the Iom for a few years I know the attraction. But having decided to give it up after a bad year at the southern 100 Im so glad I did.
As now when I look at my kids I realise what a selfish **** I was.
I love the sport but feel very sad when the next one dies. I really feel for the family.
Rusty - small world - I too was at the gooseneck in 92!!! In fact that was the last time I was there - until tomorrow that is.
The IOM TT is the last great test of a human beings abilıty to step in to the arena (in the first world any way) and risk your life in pursuit of glory.
It's a test of that perhaps but very far from being the last activity in which humans risk their lives in pursuit of a goal.
135.452mph lap for Hickman. The TT has gone up a level this year and produced record lap times in every discipline that will probably stand for a while as the course was in pristine condition. Not even Dunlop could live with that pace in the Senior!
I've been going over for a few years now and this one was the best- coupled with some excellent mtbing on the racing rest days.
As well as Hickmsn, Harrison and Dunlop, much praise should go to Davey todd and Sam west who had consistantly good results. Todd is one to watch in the future.
Bonkers racing, best of the weather for years and they’re loving it.
Why was the Zero racing hated so much? A few of the riders were not keen on riding them even though this year they were way faster and looked like they were smooth...
Those Mugens looked fabulous, I’d like to see them increase the laps to two at least next year.
I like the TT ZERO racing,it's new technology & the Isle of Man is one hell of a proving ground.
From a spectators point of view,the spectacle is less because they're almost silent.You can hear the Norton popping & banging on the over run then howling on the throttle,the 675 Triumph's howl,the fours scream,especially the 600's.The 'Supertwin's' make that old school twin cylinder drone & then you get the Zero's.No one will be making a audio tape of the Zero's going through Kirk Michael on full throttle...
I think the riders aren't so keen because racing a motorcycle powered by a electric motor is very very different to riding something powered by a internal combustion engine & swapping bikes must take a lot adapting regarding acceleration & braking points.
Some of the riders appear to have been bitten by the Zero bug, McGuiness is very keen on them likewise Guy Martin
From what I've read & listened to,the Mugen's are the most expensive bikes over there,also after making a few enquiries the other year as to why the Mugen's were ridden by Honda riders it turns out that both companies are linked https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugen_Motorsports .
As a middle aged bike fanatic my favourite bike over there was the two stroke Suter V4 580,hearing that thing on full gas out of Quarter Bridge & the aroma of quality two stroke oil after it went past was proper nostalgia.
That was one amazing Senior! So good I watched it twice.
Searched but can't find what was up with MD, anyone know?
Great racing, but terrible presenting/commentating.
Filming/editing seemed off as well.