Josh Brookes tops Isle of Man Superstock Qualifying 1

Josh Brookes set the early Superstock pace on Tuesday evening at the 2026 Isle of Man TT, as Dean Harrison fired in a record-setting benchmark in Superbike qualifying

Qualifying for the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races began in earnest on Tuesday evening after Monday’s free practice, with another spell of perfect weather covering the full 37.75-mile Mountain Course.

The conditions were reflected immediately in the lap times. Dean Harrison showed his speed from the outset on the Honda Racing UK Superbike, posting 133.925mph, the fastest lap ever recorded in an opening qualifying session.

Following a 20-minute delay, Harrison led the field away at 6.50pm. He was followed by Nathan Harrison on the H&H Motorcycles Honda, David Johnson on the Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki, Michael Dunlop on the Hawk Racing Honda, Jamie Coward on the Rapid Honda and Josh Brookes on the DAO Racing Honda.

Mike Browne was also out on the Russell Racing Honda. In the paddock, the decision had been made to shelve the next-generation Yamaha R9 in the Monster Energy Supersport class, with the team reverting to its usual Yamaha R6 instead.

The low evening sun created expected visibility issues, especially on the opening seven-mile stretch to Ballacraine, but Harrison was immediately on the pace and looked set for a 133mph standing-start lap.

That proved accurate, with the first official timed lap of TT 2026 coming in at 133.222mph. Dunlop was second quickest on 130.341mph, while Brookes at 130.197mph and Nathan Harrison at 130.010mph also broke the 130mph mark.

Brookes, riding his Superstock machine, went to the top of the class leaderboard ahead of Peter Hickman on the 8TEN Racing BMW, with Hickman stopping in the pits to switch to his Superbike.

Dunlop also came in after his first lap, making it clear to his team that more setup work was needed on the Honda Fireblade. After front-end changes, he returned to the course.

Harrison continued his run and improved to 133.925mph on lap two before pitting to change onto his stock bike. He managed to get back out before the Superbike and Superstock session concluded.

Harrison breaks opening-night Superbike record

Harrison’s 133.925mph effort was the standout Superbike performance of the night and underlined just how strong the conditions were for the first competitive evening of the week.

His first timed lap of 133.222mph had already laid down a marker, but the second was even quicker and established a new benchmark for an opening qualifying session at the TT.

2026 Isle of Man Superbike Qualifying 1

Brookes leads the way in Superstock

While Harrison set the pace in Superbike, Brookes emerged as the fastest rider in Superstock.

His 130.197mph lap put him at the top of the class in the early stages, ahead of Hickman, who interrupted his run with a pit stop to swap machinery.

It was a strong start for Brookes and DAO Racing in conditions that encouraged riders to push from the outset.

2026 Isle of Man Superstock Qualifying 1

Dunlop takes charge in Supersport

The Supersport and Sportbike session began at 7.30pm, although several likely front-runners were delayed getting out after their earlier Superbike and Superstock laps. Dunlop, Hickman and Harrison were among them. Michael Sweeney was also held up on his Supersport machine, the Irish rider unhappy with the front end of his Yamaha R6 shortly before he was due to head out.

Harrison encountered problems too. Having only just left the pits, he returned much sooner than expected when the pit limiter on his Honda CBR600RR-R stuck on.

“The two laps on the Superbike felt good,” Harrison said as his team worked on the issue with his Supersport bike. “133’s aren’t too bad at this stage of the week but we’ve some changes to make ahead of tomorrow.”

As Harrison waited to get back on track, the first Supersport laps were completed. Ian Hutchinson, on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Ducati, led initially with 123.538mph. Paul Jordan was next on the Jackson Racing Honda powered by Prosper2 at 123.455mph, followed by Nathan Harrison at 123.081mph on the H&H Motorcycles Honda.

Dunlop soon moved to the front. The 33-time TT winner lapped at 125.955mph on the Scars Racing Ducati, with Hickman moving into second on the Swan Triumph by PHR Performance.

Dunlop then went quicker again on his second lap, recording 126.922mph to make an early statement in the Supersport class.

2026 Isle of Man Supersport Qualifying 1