Perfect conditions greeted competitors for the opening qualifying session of the 2025 Isle of Man TT Races, and Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison made an early statement, topping the Superbike session with a blistering lap of 133.069mph—the fastest ever recorded on the opening night of qualifying.
In the Superstock class, Davey Todd led the way aboard the Monster Energy by 8TEN Racing BMW with a lap of 131.231mph, while Michael Dunlop (127.181mph) and Rob Hodson (119.521mph) were quickest in the Supersport and Supertwin classes respectively, riding the Milwaukee Ducati and SMT Racing Paton. The Crowe brothers (118.797mph) were fastest in the Sidecar class, where the session was shortened to one lap due to low cloud on the Mountain section.
SUPERBIKE & SUPERSTOCK: EARLY BENCHMARKS SET
The session got underway promptly at 6:30pm with an even split between Superbike and Superstock machines. Out first on their Superbikes were Peter Hickman, John McGuinness MBE, David Johnson, Dean Harrison, Conor Cummins, and Rob Hodson, while Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd, James Hillier, Josh Brookes, Ian Hutchinson, and Mike Browne led the Superstock charge.
Harrison was first off the line, followed by Hillier and Johnson. 29-time TT winner Dunlop quickly caught and passed Hodson by Glen Helen, underlining his intent. Harrison led on the road and set an impressive opening lap of 130.897mph, continuing on for a second lap.
Meanwhile, Todd set the early pace in Superstock with a lap of 130.667mph, just ahead of Dunlop at 130.387mph, who then switched to his Superbike. Hickman (129.663mph) and Nathan Harrison (127.950mph) were second and third in the Superbike standings early on, while Dominic Herbertson (128.226mph) slotted into second in Superstock ahead of Browne (127.778mph).
Among the newcomers, Mitch Rees (119.775mph) and Barry Burrell (114.359mph) impressed with solid opening laps.
SECOND LAPS SET THE PACE
On his second lap, Harrison upped the pace to a stunning 133.069mph, setting the fastest lap ever recorded on the opening night of TT qualifying. He was followed by Hickman (131.076mph), Dunlop (129.975mph), Nathan Harrison (128.825mph), Shaun Anderson (128.140mph), McGuinness (128.031mph), Hodson (127.491mph), and Johnson (127.238mph).
Todd also improved on the Superstock BMW with a lap of 131.231mph, ahead of Herbertson (129.257mph), Paul Jordan (128.055mph), Cummins (128.041mph), Browne (127.907mph), and James Hind (127.059mph). Rees continued his strong debut, eventually clocking 123.050mph on his fourth lap.
A late charge saw Harrison post 131.098mph to move into second in Superstock behind Todd, while the latter’s Superbike lap of 130.402mph placed him third behind Harrison and Hickman.
SUPERSPORT & SUPERTWIN: DUNLOP AND HODSON SHINE
At 7:20pm, the Supersport and Supertwin classes took to the Mountain Course. Michael Rutter led the field away on the Bathams Ales Supertwin Yamaha, followed by Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki), Jordan (Jackson Racing powered by Propser2 Honda) and Johnson (CD Racing by MSS Performance Kawasaki). Dunlop quickly following them down Glencrutchery Road on his Milwaukee Ducati.
Dunlop led the Supersport class after his opening lap at 125.742mph, ahead of Jordan (123.742mph), Browne (122.915mhph), Hind (122.584mph), Michael Evans (122.184mph), Anderson (120.836mph), and the returning Gary Johnson (120.795mph). However, they were all temporarily pushed down the order when Harrison clocked 125.650mph.
Dunlop responded with a 127.181mph lap to reclaim top spot, followed by Harrison (126.436mph) and Todd (124.238mph). Hickman (124.085mph), Browne (123.998mph), and Hillier (123.858mph) rounded out the top six.
In the Supertwin class, Barry Furber set the early pace at 116.050mph, but was soon eclipsed by Italian front-runner Stefano Bonetti (116.579mph). Hodson went even quicker with a lap of 118.832mph, with Evans (118.646mph) also showing strong pace.
Hodson (119.521mph) improved on on his second lap and with less than five minutes to go in the session, Hickman, Dunlop and Todd all switched to their Supertwin machines.
However, Hodson held on to his top spot as Dunlop went second quickest (119.068mph), with Todd fifth (117.634mph) and Hickman sixth (116.718mph) - Browne (118.579mph) was in between them in fourth.
SIDECARS: CROWES ON TOP AS FOG CUTS RUNNING
The Sidecars got underway at 8:10pm with the field led away by Ryan and Callum Crowe, followed by Ben Birchall/Tom Rosney, Crawford/Hardie, Blackstock/Lawrence, Ellis/Clement, and Steve and Matty Ramsden.
The Crowes set the pace with a lap of 118.797mph, ahead of Founds/Walmsley (115.370mph), Crawford/Hardie (113.742mph), Blackstock/Lawrence (112.975mph), Birchall/Rosney (112.821mph), and Ellis/Clement (108.932mph). However, worsening conditions over the Mountain meant the session was curtailed after just one lap.
Qualifying 2 is set to get underway at 18:00 on Thursday 29th May.