John McGuinness returns to number 1 position for big bike races
Updated: Wednesday 10th April. John McGuinness will be the first rider to blast down Bray Hill on a 1,000cc machine at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, returning to the opening position after starting from third in 2023.
The 23-time TT winner will carry the number one plate in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT races aboard the Honda Racing UK CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, with the opening Superbike Race being ‘McPint’s’ 109th TT start.
Jamie Coward will follow McGuinness off the line on the KTS Racing Honda, confirming the Yorkshireman’s position at number two in all solo categories for 2024. The second factory Honda will leave the line in third, with Dean Harrison moving ten seconds down the road from the second placed start he’s opted for in the past three TT fortnights.
Honda will account for the first five starting positions in the 1,000cc categories in 2024, with Ian Hutchinson returning to both the TT and the Padgetts Motorcycles stable in fourth, with James Hillier launching from fifth aboard the WTF Racing Honda.
Unsurprisingly, Michael Dunlop lines up in sixth, as he does in all solo classes this year. However, Dunlop is yet to confirm what he’ll be racing or who for, but the hot rumour is that he will be aboard a Honda Fireblade as he aims to become the most successful rider in the history of the TT. One win for Dunlop will see him equal the total of his legendary uncle Joey, whereas a second win will see Michael break the 24-year record of 26 wins.
Josh Brookes returns to the number seven spot aboard the FHO Racing BMW, as he did in 2023, and with his pace steadily improving throughout last year’s fortnight, is widely regarded as a strong contender for a podium result. Also considered as a podium favourite is Davey Todd, who heads off at number eight aboard the Milwaukee BMW following his split from Padgetts Motorcycles at the end of 2023.
Thanks to his performances in 2023, which saw him lap close to 131mph, Craig Neve moves up to the number nine spot aboard the Bathams Racing Honda, while hunting Neve down off the line will be lap record holder Peter Hickman. Hickman, riding the second of the FHO Racing BMWs, has won ten of the last 13 1,000cc races at the TT, and many expect at least one more to be added to that total this year.
Manxman Conor Cummins lines up in his customary 11th place, flying the flag for the locals aboard the Padgetts Honda. David Johnson will follow Cummins from the 12th spot, racing the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki. Popular Lee Johnston takes his usual 13 plate, riding a Fireblade under his own Ashcourt Racing stable, returning to the TT after missing 2023 through injury.
One of the most experienced TT racers lines up in 14th, with Michael Rutter preparing to celebrate 30 years at the TT by competing aboard the Bathams Racing BMW. The seven-time TT winner will not compete in the Superstock races, leaving the number 14 starting position empty on those occasions.
Starting ten seconds behind Rutter, and 20 behind Johnston in the Superstock races, in the 15th position will be Rob Hodson aboard the SMT Racing Honda, with Dominic Herbertson starting from 16th aboard the Burrows Engineering BMW. The two will be ones to watch having become the latest riders to join the 130mph club in 2023.
Gary Johnson returns to the TT in the number 17 spot aboard a Honda, having skipped 2023 through injury. The two-time winner will be racing for Bill Smith Motors in the 1,000cc categories. He will be swiftly followed by the Team Classic Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Shaun Anderson, who also set his first 130mph lap in 2023.
Phil Crowe lines up in 19th aboard the Nigel Appleyard BMW, with Mike Browne completing the top 20 seeds, with his team and motorcycle expected to be confirmed soon.
Paul Jordan, who wears the number one plate in the Supersport and Supertwin categories is unseeded on the Jackson Racing Honda, as is the factory Honda of Nathan Harrison. Harrison recently underwent surgery following an accident in winter testing in Spain, but the team has stated that it would not have an impact on his racing season.