Following a successful pilot programme during the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races, Manx Roadracing Medical Services (MRMS) will undertake an expanded research study during TT 2025, focused on measuring the physiological, biomechanical, and cognitive demands placed on riders competing on the TT Mountain Course.
The initiative, designed and led by MRMS, aims to capture detailed performance and biometric data from a sample of solo competitors during race week. The goal is to better understand the physical and mental toll of racing the TT and use this data to inform future medical standards and safety protocols at the event.
“Riders competing at the TT face unique and extreme demands that are unlike any other sporting event,” said Dr Jonathan Davies, Research Lead with MRMS. “This project is about understanding those demands through objective data, so we can not only enhance safety but also support riders in optimising their preparation and performance.”
Participants in the study will wear a heart rate monitor and temperature sensor during race sessions. Additional testing before and after selected races will record body weight, blood lactate levels, grip strength, and reaction speed. Data collection will be carried out by the MRMS research team within the paddock, with all testing designed to be minimally disruptive to competitors’ schedules and routines.
“This is a vital step forward for the TT,” added Dr Gareth Davies, Chief Medical Officer for the TT Races. “We know every technical detail about the machines - the data, the telemetry, the performance limits. Now, it’s time to apply the same meticulous attention to the performance of the riders themselves. Understanding how they endure and perform under such extreme conditions is key to the continued delivery of a modern, medically-informed approach to rider care and event delivery.”
The study has already received strong backing from competitors, including seasoned TT competitor Shaun Anderson, who participated in the research pilot last year.
“When I was told they’d be doing a medical study, it was something I was immediately interested in,” he says. “The physicality of the TT is always shrouded in some sort of mystery. We’ve got varying athletic builds throughout the grid, each with their own method of performance preparation. But, as riders we currently lack the understanding of how that aligns with performance out on the road. That’s what makes this research so valuable - it gives us as competitors a chance to dig deeper into what’s really going on in the body during race week.”
Anderson added that the study provided tangible benefits throughout the event. “Knowing if your weight is up or down, how well you’re hydrating, or whether your grip strength is holding up - these are things that can make a difference, especially when looking for a competitive edge. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of the TT and forget to prioritise your own physical condition. This research helped bring that to the forefront of my mind and allowed for better control when preparing to race.”
Shaun is already looking forward to continued participation in the research during the 2025 event. “I’m interested to see what improvements I’ve made - whether the changes in my training and preparation deliver results in the numbers. Anything that gives me that kind of insight, I’m all in.”
The TT’s strategy has always been clear: preserve the purity of the racing while relentlessly raising the bar. This study is part of that vision, sitting alongside advances in race operations, rider development, and safety management.
The data captured will be anonymised for research purposes, however each participating competitor will be able to access their individual results post-event, allowing them to turn insight into a unique tool for preparation, performance, and recovery.
The TT’s strategy has always been clear: preserve the purity of the racing while relentlessly raising the bar. This study is part of that vision, sitting alongside advances in race operations, rider development, and safety management.
Found out more at iomttraces.com