RHYS STEPHENSON TO MAKE TT DEBUT IN 2026 WITH ROCKET RACING
20-year-old Rhys Stephenson’s first appearance at the TT in 2026 marks the start of a new chapter in his young career, with a programme focused solely on the Sportbike class. He will ride the Triumph Daytona 660, a machine he knows well, as part of a measured, learning-led approach to his first campaign on the Mountain Course.
Preparation has been built around gaining as much knowledge and familiarity as possible before his debut. Stephenson plans to maximise time on the bike through the BSB rounds and track days with further visits to the Isle of Man, where he has already completed extensive laps as part of his build-up. Working with TT Rider Liaison Officers John Barton and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, the emphasis has been on arriving at his first TT as well prepared as possible for the demands of the Course.
Rhys Stephenson will make his TT debut in 2026 with Rocket Racing, contesting the two Carole Nash Sportbike TT races on a Triumph Daytona 660.
Stephenson comes to the TT after establishing himself as one of the leading young contenders in British Championship racing. He first made his mark in the British Talent Cup in 2021, scoring points in 14 of 18 races in his debut season before a breakthrough 2022 campaign brought four second-place finishes, two thirds and fourth overall in the standings.
He remained a competitive presence the following year before stepping into the Pirelli National Sportbike Championship in 2024, adapting quickly to the class and securing a best finish of second at Thruxton on his way to eighth overall. In 2025, he built further momentum with multiple podium finishes, lap records and a pair of pole positions. Although bad luck ultimately affected his championship challenge, the season again underlined both his speed and consistency.
For 2026, however, Stephenson’s attention is firmly on the TT. Rather than stretching budget and focus across a wider road racing programme, the priority is to invest all available time and resources into making his first year on the Mountain Course a success.
Stephenson said: “In my first year, I’m hoping to learn the course and build confidence around the island. I’m going in with no expectations. I just want to enjoy my time on the bike and learn as much as I can.
“I’ve been over to the Island numerous times already to make sure I’m well prepared for my first laps and I’ll definitely be heading over to do more laps with Milky and John. I’m super excited to get out on the road and go down Bray Hill for the first time.”
The 2026 campaign will again be backed by an established group of sponsors, with Pell Plant Hire, Micrometric, Mark Mortgages, Doughty Cakes, DRC Leathers, Slipstream Motorcycles Skegness, Vivid Graphics and Pete Dalton Silkolene all supporting the team’s first TT effort.
Team Sponsor, Micrometric said: “We are proud to sponsor Rhys Stephenson as he takes on the legendary Isle of Man TT. His dedication, courage and passion for racing truly embody the spirit of this iconic event and we are excited to support him on such an incredible stage.”
Stephenson’s debut matters not because of any immediate result target, but because of the foundations being put in place. With proven short-circuit pedigree, a clear preparation plan and committed to learning the right way, Rocket Racing’s first TT campaign is built around patience, progression and the long-term potential of both rider and programme.
