NEWCOMERS GET TT 2026 UNDERWAY
As is tradition at the Isle of Man TT, the fortnight’s action kicked off with the speed control lap for Newcomers, led by Rider Liaison Officers Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle BEM and John Barton for solos, with sidecars led away by Greg Lambert and Lee Crawford.
Gary McCoy had the honour of being the first newcomer on track, as he followed Milky down Glencrutchery Road. McCoy had originally planned to debut in 2025, but an injury at the North West 200 delayed his entry to this year. A well known racer on the roads, and former champion at Scarborough, there is a lot of potential as he competes in the Superstock and Supersport classes with MadBros Racing.
Gary McCoy prepares for his long-awaited Isle of Man TT debut after injury delayed his 2025 plans.
Rhys Stevenson, meanwhile, followed John Barton on his Speed Control Lap. Stevenson is the youngest rider at the TT this year, and ironically saw motorcycles competitively ride the Mountain Course for the first time when he took part in practice himself.
Youngest competitor Rhys Stevenson begins his TT journey.
The remaining TT newcomers were not required to take part in the Speed Control Lap having competed on the Mountain Course at the Manx Grand Prix. A newcomer arriving with momentum behind them from last year’s Manx Grand Prix is Caomhan Canny, fresh off the back of his Senior Manx Grand Prix victory in 2025. Having first raced around the Mountain Course in 2024, Canny has entered all four classes this year with Scott Racing, making him one of only three newcomers to compete in the Superbike class this year owing to his previous Mountain Course experience at the Manx Grand Prix.
Joining Canny as a Superbike newcomer is Ryan Whitehall, who consistently been at the front of the Supersport and Senior Manx Grands Prix in recent years along with experience at the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix.
The Supertwin race at last year’s Manx Grand Prix featured a thrilling duel between Lewis Arrowsmith and Michael Gahan, with Arrowsmith coming out on top on that occasion. The two both step up to the TT this year, and will resume their battle in the Sportbike races, with Gahan also competing in the Supersport category.
Lewis Arrowsmith steps up to the TT following his Supertwin victory at the 2025 Manx Grand Prix.
Daniel Ingham, Toby Shann, Daniel Forbes, Michael Mace, Craig Szczypeck and Anthony Stevens rounded out the solo newcomers.
Jaimie van Sikkelerus and Franco Bourne were both slated to be making their Isle of Man TT debuts this year, but neither will make the start for this year. Bourne arrived in the paddock set to compete, but decided this was not the right time for him personally. Team ILR boss Ian Lougher said: ““Franco has got some personal issues at the moment and can’t fully commit to racing, particularly riding down Bray Hill as a newcomer when his concentration is at an all time low. He has respect for himself and others and knows being only 21 years old he has time on his side so will come back next year. “
Van Sikkelerus was also on the island hoping to compete, but injuries sustained previously had not healed in time for him to take part in 2026.
“Since December, I’ve worked hard every single day and used every moment possible to learn the course in the best way I could, including visiting the island a couple of times,” said van Sikkelerus in a statement posted to his social media. “I truly feel ready to give it a go, but unfortunately my bones didn’t heal fast enough to pass the medical fitness test… it’s heartbreaking but it is what it is. It will be my dream to be back next year!”
Sidecar newcomers, including passenger Ben Gale, take to the Mountain Course under the guidance of Liaison Officers.
Four sidecar outfits went out behind Liaison Officers Greg Lambert and Lee Crawford. James Hanks was the only newcomer driver, with fellow newcomer Jonathan Kirk in the passenger’s seat. Three newcomer passengers completed the contingent, as Robert Coppock rode alongside James Saunders, Andrew Miller with Andy King and Ben Gale in the chair for David Marshall.
Owing to the cancellation of the afternoon qualifying session, all newcomers will have to wait until tomorrow evening’s sessions to see who has the upper hand in the race to become fastest Newcomer of 2026.
