HELLO, GOODBYE: NEW NAMES EMERGE AS LEGENDS BID FAREWELL | 2025 SIDECAR PREVIEW
New winners, breakthrough podiums, thrilling newcomers, and emotional farewells – last year’s Sidecar races had it all. The landscape of the class is shifting, with fresh talent rising as a new generation stakes its claim.
The sidecar races were introduced to the Isle of Man TT Races as far back as 1923, and have been ever-present since 1954, gaining a loyal following of fans along the way. The intervening decades have seen a number of significant changes to sidecar regulations, but the class has always evolved and moved forward, driven not just by those who strive to be the fastest, but also those who wish to engineer a race-winning machine.
This progress was exemplified by local brothers Ryan and Callum Crowe. In just their fourth TT, the Jurby siblings claimed their first Mountain Course wins, following in the footsteps of their father, Nick, a five-time winner and former lap record holder. With five podiums from just seven starts – a remarkable feat – their first 120mph+ lap highlights the rapid performance leap seen in a single generation. With such momentum, the Crowes enter as favourites, but while the fastest crew on the day ought to prevail, a new start order system has the potential to leave some crews second guessing their tactics during qualifying.
The Crowe brothers - exemplifying the TT sidecar progession
Previously sidecar pairings were seeded before the event based on past performance and ranked from fastest to slowest. This naturally grouped top competitors at the front but also led to increased secrecy. No one wanted to lead and reveal course advantages, nor did followers wish to show their strongest sections. The 2025 TT therefore introduces a new system, whereby the start order for the sidecar class will be determined by the times set in qualifying, much the same as it is in Formula 1. Whoever sets the fastest lap during qualifying will start first.
A simple premise on one hand, but with the potential to add a layer of intrigue on the other. After all, this is not Formula 1, where starting first is often critical. Will top crews confidently lay down an early marker, as Michael Dunlop often does in the solo classes? Or will ‘sandbagging’ come into play, with some hiding their true pace? Strategic slowdowns aren’t new at the TT – going fast in key sections while easing off elsewhere. Whether the result is a familiar start order or a shake-up remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: sector times will face intense scrutiny from rivals and commentators alike.
It is not the only change the class has seen since the TT’s return in 2022, and with high-profile retirements and new contenders emerging, it feels like the end of one era and the start of another. While uncertainty remains, 2025 may be the year this transition fully takes shape. Exciting new talent has entered the fray, just as top crews push past 120mph. The paddock also boasts a fresh pair of winners, with the Crowe brothers bringing renewed energy to the class.
How quickly things can change.
The 2024 TT will long be remembered for that famous double-victory by Ryan and Callum Crowe, but it was increasingly hard to see past a win for Ben Birchall up until that point. Last year was his first without his brother Tom, his longtime passenger with whom he claimed all fourteen TT wins. Their near-telepathic connection made them formidable, and adjusting to a new partner was always going to be a challenge – even for someone of Birchall’s calibre. Kevin Rousseau was the man brought in to replace Tom.
The likeable Frenchman could boast World Championship success, but had limited TT experience – his only prior attempt ending in two retirements and a best lap of 114mph. Lapping around the required 120mph mark with Ben appeared ambitious, but to Rousseau’s immense credit, he came mightily close; a best lap of 119.125mph aiding the pair to second place in race two.
Their debut could have been even better had they competed in race one. A crash at Mountain Box during qualifying left both battered and bruised, forcing Birchall to make urgent repairs to his LCR Honda. Given the circumstances, a podium finish was a strong result, yet rather than build on that progress, Birchall has made another switch for TT 2025, partnering with Patrick Rosney. A Mountain Course competitor since 2016, the Blackburn resident has multiple top-six finishes. More importantly, unlike Rousseau – who had World Championship commitments – Rosney can race alongside Birchall for the entire season, a factor that could prove crucial.
SHIFTING SANDS
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
If Birchall feels he has a point to prove, then the same likely holds true for Pete Founds and his long-time passenger, Jevan Walmsley. The pair impressed many two years ago, securing a brace of second place finishes and recording a 120mph+ lap as they pushed the Birchalls hard. With Tom Birchall retiring from racing, Founds and Walmsley inherited the coveted position of race favourite ahead of TT 2024, but competing on the Mountain Course is rarely as straightforward as the Birchall brothers made it appear, and ultimately the pair gave way to a different set of siblings.
Ben Birchall returns this year with Paddy Rosney, and he's got a point to prove.
Founds and Walmsley secured another second-place finish – this time behind the flying Crowe brothers – marking their sixth successive TT podium. They would have been disappointed, however, to find themselves nearly 27 seconds adrift, with a best lap well short of their potential. Their frustration was further compounded by a retirement in the second race, so they’ll be eager to mount a stronger challenge this time around and get back within touching distance of that elusive first TT win.
Most onlookers would still consider Founds and Walmsley, along with the Crowes, among the favourites for 2025, highlighting just how quickly these two crews have emerged from the shadow of 14-time winner Ben Birchall to form a new-look ‘big three.’
But it’s not just at the front where we are witnessing a ‘changing of the guard.’ TT 2025 will also be notable for the names that are missing, as three of the sport’s finest retire – including the greatest of them all: Dave Molyneux.
BIDDING FAREWELL
In an illustrious TT career spanning almost four decades, Molyneux racked up no fewer than 17 TT wins, putting him well ahead of his rivals and three victories clear of Ben and Tom Birchall. After a brief barren spell, the Manxman returned to the podium last year, finishing third in what proved to be an emotionally charged final race for ‘Moly’ at his beloved event.
Dave Molyneux has retired from racing, but remains very involved, as the new Sidecar Liaison Officer.
Keen to retain someone of Molyneux’s vast experience, race organisers moved quickly to appoint the local legend as the TT’s new Sidecar Liaison Officer. Molyneux has always drawn great energy from the TT and will no doubt relish his new role.
Meanwhile, two of his former rivals, John Holden and Conrad Harrison, must find new ways to adjust to life without TT racing as they join the Manxman in retirement. Boasting a combined total of 20 TT wins and no fewer than 63 podium finishes, the trio leave behind an incredible legacy.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
The vast majority of sporting events would struggle to overcome the loss of three such key figures, but the sidecar class is well-positioned not only to do so but also to move forward with renewed confidence – thanks in no small part to the opportunities opening up for the sport’s emerging stars.
The established partnership of Lee Crawford and Scott Hardie is among those leading the charge. The pair lapped at 112.357mph in 2022 during a successful first year, but were forced to miss the 2023 event, undermining their early momentum. They bounced back in style, however, increasing their pace in 2024 to finish fifth in race two – less than ten seconds adrift of the podium. Despite that stuttering start to their TT career, the pedigree of the former British champions is clear, and they remain on an upward trajectory.
Lee Crawford and Scott Hardie lead the charge of the class's rising stars.
CHAMPIONS ELECT?
Hot on the heels of Crawford and Hardie are double world champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. The Anglo-French pairing made a spectacular entrance into TT racing in 2024, finishing an eye-catching seventh in race one and posting a fastest lap of 113.786mph. Ellis and Clement are now the fastest newcomers of all time – an accolade they wrestled away from the Crowes, no less – while Clement can also take pride in being the fastest female sidecar competitor in TT history.
Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement are the fastest sidecar newcomers of all time.
Her ambitions, however, will stretch much further – especially now that she and Todd have twice conquered the world stage. Perhaps it was over-ambition in their first year that led to a momentary lapse in concentration, with an accident at the Waterworks bringing out the red flag. That was their only blemish in an otherwise impeccable fortnight and motorsport has long been defined by great champions who have, on occasion, pushed beyond the limits of either themselves or their machines.
UNDER THE RADAR
Robert Dawson and Matthew Sims were another pair of newcomers who impressed last year. While the feats of Ellis and Clement dominated the spotlight, Dawson and Sims quietly delivered a strong performance, securing a top-ten finish (ninth) in their debut year – an achievement not to be underestimated. A lap of 109.465mph further underlined their potential, and a top-six result should be firmly on their list of goals for TT 2025.
NEWCOMERS
Robert Dawson and Matthew Sims enjoyed a very strong first year and will be looking for a top-6 finish this year.
This year’s event will also see an influx of fresh sidecar talent, with Steve Kershaw leading an impressive list of newcomers. Arguably the most successful Scottish driver since the late, great, Jock Taylor, Kershaw is a double British champion and has twice finished third in the World Championship. He’ll be looking to emulate the first-year feats of his regular sparring partner, Todd Ellis, while his new passenger, Rhys Gibbons, already boasts a podium finish to his name.
Amongst a number of newcomers, Stephen Kershaw has teamed up with podium finisher Rhys Gibbons for his debut.
Another highly anticipated debut comes from George Holden. With a strong set of results secured elsewhere, he arrives at the TT alongside a very capable passenger in Mark Wilkes – who partnered Tim Reeves for many years. But as any seasoned TT fan will tell you, navigating the fortnight successfully isn’t just about on-track performance. It also depends on preparation away from the circuit, and few will be as well-versed in TT life as George’s father, veteran sidecar ace John Holden.
One more new pairing of note, albeit one with some previous TT experience, is that of James Saunders and Sarah Stokoe. Sarah makes a welcome return to the event, having previously been a passenger for Michael Jackson, while James takes the controls for the first time, having previously ridden as a passenger for his father, John. This means he can at least rely on some detailed course knowledge – even if it was knowledge gained from the left-hand side of the outfit!
Want more? Watch our 2025 Sidcar Preview Show. Now on TT+ and YouTube.
