MILENCO BY PADGETTS CONFIRM REES AND COWARD FOR 2026 TT
The Batley-based outfit, led by former multiple British championship-winning team owner Clive Padgett, will once again field Honda machinery in the headline classes, while expanding its Sportbike programme for TT 2026.
New Zealander Mitch Rees returns for his second year on the roads and will contest the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock and Milwaukee Senior TT races at the Isle of Man TT aboard the team’s Stock-spec Honda Fireblade. In addition, he will ride a Supersport-spec Honda in the Monster Energy Supersport TT races.
Rees made his TT debut in 2025 and claimed the Vernon Cooper Trophy as the event’s top solo newcomer. He recorded a best lap of 126.8mph and secured finishes of 23rd and 18th in the two Superstock TT races, gaining vital experience on the 37¾-mile Mountain Course. With a full year of road racing knowledge behind him, the 33-year-old has set a clear target of breaking into the 130mph bracket on the big bike in 2026.
Multiple New Zealand Superbike and Formula One Superbike Champion Mitch Rees.
Joining Rees in the Sportbike class is Yorkshireman Jamie Coward, who will ride the team’s Paton in the two Carole Nash Sportbike TT races, as well as at the North West 200. The Hebden Bridge rider returns to the TT after missing last year’s event following injuries sustained at the North West 200. Now fully recovered, Coward links up with one of the most established operations in the paddock for a renewed assault on the class.
Coward has previously demonstrated his pace in Supertwin TT races, running close to the class benchmark in recent years, and brings extensive experience to the Padgett’s structure. The Paton package he will campaign has already proven competitive around the Mountain Course, finishing second in the 2025 Supertwin race at the hands of Davey Todd.
Padgett said: “We’re as enthusiastic as ever about the year ahead. The TT is always a major part of what we do, and with Mitch building on last year’s experience and Jamie joining us in the Sportbike class, we’ve got a strong and balanced team. Both riders understand what the Mountain Course demands, and we believe the equipment gives them every opportunity to progress.”
“Joining the Padgett’s is something special." - Jamie Coward
Rees added: “Last year was a massive learning curve. The TT is unlike anything we have back home in New Zealand. I felt we made solid progress despite the conditions, and now I know what’s required. The goal is to move towards that 130mph mark and take another big step forward.”
Coward said: “Joining the Padgett’s is something special. It’s an iconic team in British racing and at the TT. I’m fully fit again and highly motivated. The Supertwin class is ultra-competitive, but I believe we can be in the mix and put on a strong showing.”
With established Mountain Course experience, competitive Honda and Paton machinery, and clear targets, Milenco by Padgett’s head into TT 2026 with defined ambition across all classes.
