The 2025 Isle of Man TT Races properly kicked off on Tuesday evening, as all classes took part in untimed Free Practice sessions. After a wet night and a damp start to the day, conditions improved enough for a full session to run on the Mountain Course, with sunshine breaking through in the afternoon.
Despite the improved weather, tricky patches still lingered at key points like Braddan, Laurel Bank, Glen Helen, the 11th Milestone, Glentramman, and Keppel Gate. Nevertheless, the Sidecar field was first to get on track, albeit a few minutes behind schedule at 6:35 p.m.
Leading the way were reigning double winners Ryan and Callum Crowe. The Manx brothers, racing the Opul/Kelproperties LCR Honda, are hot favourites again this year. Hot on their heels were rivals Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley (AWB Engineering DDM Honda), and the returning Ben Birchall with new passenger Patrick Rosney (Hager/Wyckham Blackwell LCR Honda).
Several other podium hopefuls were out too: Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (Team ARC/SJH Bodyworks LCR Kawasaki), Lewis Blackstock and debutant passenger Oscar Lawrence (Dave Holden Racing LCR Yamaha), plus reigning Sidecar World Champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement (Brookland Sand & Aggregates CES Yamaha).
The Crowes were first to complete a lap but decided to park up after just one. With the session running 35 minutes, teams could squeeze in two laps — though Ellis and Clement didn’t get that far, coming to a stop at Kerromoar. Crawford/Hardie opted for a second lap, as did Birchall/Rosney, though at a steadier pace. Newcomer Stephen Kershaw, a double British Champion, and his passenger Rhys Gibbons also completed a second circuit after some mid-session tweaks.
At 7:20 p.m., the Supersport and Supertwin machines hit the 37.73-mile course. Most of the expected frontrunners went out first on their 600cc Supersport bikes — among them Dean Harrison (Honda Racing), Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda), James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki), Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing/Prosper2 Honda), and Ian Hutchinson (MLav Racing Yamaha).
Notably absent from that group were Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop, each opting for different approaches. Dunlop led the field out on his MD Racing Paton, with Mike Browne (Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha) quickly overtaking and leading on the road.
Browne was first to finish the lap, though Dunlop wasn’t far behind. In a poetic moment, the 27-time TT winner passed through the newly named ‘MD’s’ corner—his namesake—on the same bike he rode to that milestone win. Fittingly, it was also May 27th.
Close behind was a tightly packed group of leading contenders: Harrison, Todd, Hillier, Hutchinson, Brookes, Conor Cummins (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Ducati), and James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki). Making his first TT appearance since 2022, two-time winner Gary Johnson (Team Schleizer Dreieck Suzuki) also returned to the course.
One early exit was Paul Jordan, Brookes’ teammate, who retired on the opening lap. Meanwhile, Browne, Harrison, Todd, Hutchinson, and Cummins pressed on for second laps. Dunlop switched machines, returning on his Milwaukee Ducati, and Hickman joined the fray aboard his Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance Supersport bike.
After completing two laps on his Yamaha, Browne got a final lap in on the KMR Kawasaki for the Supertwin class. Todd did the same on his new Paton but stopped at Ginger Hall, ending his night early and missing valuable time on his big bike.
The evening wrapped up with a 35-minute Superbike and Superstock session at 8:15 p.m. Josh Brookes and James Hind led the group, followed by David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki), Paul Jordan, James Hillier (now on the Muc-Off Racing Honda), and Phil Crowe (Crowe Performance BMW). Michael Dunlop was out on his MD Racing BMW Superbike, while Hickman began the session aboard the Monster Energy by 8TEN Racing Superstock BMW.
Brookes, Hind, Johnson, and Jordan circulated together, with Dean Harrison steadily reeling them in. While most continued for a second lap, Brookes pitted to switch to his Superstock Honda. Nathan Harrison (H&H Motorcycles Honda) and John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing) also clocked up additional laps before the chequered flag.
Photos: Isle of Man TT Races
