Motorcycling
The 2019 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, gets under way tomorrow (Saturday May 25) with the first of a week-long practice and qualifying sessions before the first race of TT19 on Saturday June 1.
Roads around the 37.7 mile mountain circuit will close on Saturday at 6pm where the Solo Newcomers and Sidecar TT Newcomers will have a controlled lap behind the travelling marshalls, with all Solo classes getting their first full practice later in the evening.
With the battle between Peter Hickman (Smyths BMW) Dean Harrison (Silicone Kawasaki) in TT18 still fresh on everyone's mind, there is a lot of anticipation surrounding this year's Isle of Man TT races.
Hickman set the fastest ever lap of the TT circuit at 135.4mph, making the TT races the fastest road race in the world.
This duel is sure to light the touch paper again in TT19 but will Michael Dunlop be able to match this pair?
The 18-time TT winner is having to battle through injury and new machinery, but all that could change during TT fortnight.
Along with Hickman, Harrison and Dunlop, the likes of James Hillier, who was man of the meeting at the North West 200 last week, is one to watch as is Fermanagh's Lee Johnston, both winners at the North Coast event.
Ian Hutchinson the only man ever to have won five TT race in one week return on the Motul Honda's, with Manxman Conor Cummins on the Padgett Honda's looking like he is up for the occasion in 2019.
2018 Isle of Man TT winners:
RST Superbike Race: - Michael Dunlop (Tyco BMW)
Sidecar Race 1: - Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall (LCR Yamaha R6)
Sidecar Race Two: - Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall (LCR Yamaha R6)
Supersport 600 Race 1 - Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda)
Supersport 600 Race 2 - Dean Harrison (Silicone Kawasaki)
Superstock Race - Peter Hickman (Smiths BMW)
TT Zero Race - Michael Rutter (Murgen)
Senior TT Race: - Peter Hickman (Smiths BMW)
Full Practice and Race Schedule below is subject to change if weather conditions don't allow.
PRACTICE AND RACE SCHEDULE TT 2019
SATURDAY MAY 25
Road Close 6pm
Solo Newcomers and Sidecar Newcomers controlled lap.
All Solo's free practice
MONDAY MAY27
Road Close 6pm
Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers/Sidecars practice
TUESDAY MAY 28
Roads Close 6pm
Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers/Sidecars practice.
WEDNESDAY MAY 29
Roads Close 6pm
Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers/Sidecars/TT Zero practice
THURSDAY MAY 30
Roads Close 6pm
Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers/Sidecars/TT Zero practice.
FRIDAY MAY 31
Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers/Sidecars/TT Zero practice
RACE WEEK:
SATURDAY JUNE 1
Roads Close 10am
12 noon - RST Superbike Race 6 Laps
15-00 - Sidecar TT Race One 3 Laps
16:35 - Superstock/Supersport/Lightweight Qualifying
17:10 - TT Zero Qualifying
21:30 - Roads Open
MONDAY JUNE 3
10am - Roads Close
10:45 - Monster Energy Supersport 600 Race One 4 Laps
12:25 - Sidecar Qualifying
14:15 - Royal London 360 Superstock Race 4 Laps
15:55 - Lightweight TT Qualifying
16:15 - TT Zero Qualifying
17:00 - Roads Open
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5
10am - Roads Close
10:45 - Monster Energy Supersport 600 Race Two 4 Laps
12:45 - TT Zero Race 1 Lap
14:10 - Bennetts Lightweight Race 4 Laps
15:55 - Sidecar Qualifying
16:10 - Senior TT Qualifying
17:00 - Road Open
FRIDAY JUNE 7
9:30 - Roads Close
10:30 - Sidecar TT Race Two 3 Laps
12:45 - Senior TT Race 6 Laps
21:30 - Roads Open No Later Than
