When the best gets better – TT ’25 sees all-time records fall!

Joy. Anguish. Ecstasy. The Isle of Man TT always elicits emotions right across the spectrum, with races that tax both rider and machine like no other being decided by tenths of a second after race distances of over 150 miles. 

All of these emotions were visible at TT 2025. Despite challenging weather conditions across the fortnight, the year will be remembered as one when the best cemented his position as an all-time great. 

Michael Dunlop sampled the joy and ecstasy more than anyone, becoming the first rider in history to win 30 TTs with success in Monday’s Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 before adding three further victories to his tally. And Davey Todd showed he is the current big bike king, as he celebrated the third win of his career in Monday’s Superbike TT.

“This week has been fast, hot and heavy,” said Dunlop, now seven wins ahead of Uncle Joey at the top of all-time TT winners list, and already looking to the future. “Four wins is the main achievement for me. But I want to keep winning here.” 

The 104^th running of world’s most famous race was billed at the clash of the titans as Dunlop, John McGuinness and Peter Hickman – three all-time greats– plus last year’s Senior TT winner Todd, were poised to challenge for the most famous trophy in motorcycle racing. 

But these names know better than anyone how unforgiving the 37.73-mile circuit is. Racing at speeds exceeding 200mph around public roads lined by walls, trees and banks, the dangers are as clear as day. As double MotoGP World Champion Pecco Bagnaia noted, 

“TT racers know a single mistake can have a huge impact. So huge respect to them.” 

Peter Hickman was the one who faced anguish, after escaping a 140mph crash on the Friday of practice week, which ruled him out of racing action.  

But ‘Hicky’s’ absence and the unpredictable Manx weather couldn’t dent this year’s event. While rain and strong winds played havoc with the schedule and caused the cancellation of Saturday’s Senior TT, fans from places as far flung as Canada, Australia and Argentina still came in their tens of thousands to the island in the Irish Sea to the sample the biggest biking festival in the world. 

As well as the racing, they were entertained by Baggsy and Liam Doran drifting their cars around certain spots on the island while the fan zone featured the Monster Energy rig, complete with sampling, barbers and tattooist Mica Dori.

By the close of race week, most riders had completed seven races, over 50 laps of the world’s most challenging circuit, and close to 2,000 miles when running average speeds of 130mph plus on the bigger bikes. That’s why the TT is known as the ultimate test of rider and machine.

Few would argue TT ’25 belonged to Michael Dunlop’s (ROKiT BMW). It was the second year in succession he did the Monster Energy Supersport and Supertwin double. As well as adding to his all-time win tally, 36-year old Dunlop added new records in the form of most podiums ever achieved, surpassing McGuinness’ record of 46 in Tuesday’s Supertwin TT Race 1. By the end of the week, he had 51. That’s not all: it was the fifth time Dunlop has won four races in a single TT week – no one else has managed more a TT quadruple more than twice! 

It was another superb week for Davey Todd (8Ten Racing BMW Motorrad) as he proved for the second year in succession, he’s among the road racing elite. He pipped Dunlop to victory in the Superbike TT by just 1.2s when lapping at average speeds of 135mph. He then added four further podiums, including a pair of second places in the two Superstock races – further confirmation Davey’s a genuine road racing star. 

Once again John McGuinness (Honda Racing UK) proved age is only a number. The 53-year old had the distinction of wearing the #1 plate in the Superbike and two Superstock races, and showed he is still a force to be reckoned with on the island. He followed a 7^th in the Superbike TT with an 8^th in the Supertock Race 2. He lapped at an average speed of 131.173mph on the final lap of the Superbike race. And Wednesday’s Superstock Race 2 was his 114^th TT start – feats of no ordinary rider.

Peter Hickman (8Ten Racing BMW Motorrad) had been laying the groundwork for an attack on all four classes during practice week, when his times were as competitive as anyone. Yet a crash on Friday evening of practice week at the Kerrowmoar left-hander put paid to his hopes of scoring silverware as a rider as he sustained facial, chest and shoulder injuries. The 38-year old was largely OK and back in the paddock during race week to vow he will back for next year’s event!