Harrison tops IOM TT Superbike qualifying speeds
Dean Harrison on his Honda Fireblade Superbike
- Published
Dean Harrison set the fastest lap speed in the first timed Superbike qualifying session for the Isle of Man TT on Wednesday.
The Honda Racing rider circulated at a blistering 133.069mph on his second lap of the evening, 15.5 seconds faster than Peter Hickman, who recorded 131.076 on his 8Ten Racing BMW.
Harrison, 36, is in his second season with the Japanese manufacturer and will be looking to add to his three TT wins to date, the most recent of those coming in 2019.
His speed, set in perfect conditions, was the fastest ever registered in an opening qualifying session for the meeting.
Hickman's team-mate Davey Todd was third on the Superbike leaderboard at 130.402, followed by record 29-time winner Michael Dunlop on 129.975 on his Rokit BMW.
Yorkshireman Todd was quickest in the Superstock category with a speed of 131.231, with Harrison one second slower in second with at 131.098 and Michael Dunlop next fastest on 130.387.
Todd earned the first TT win of his career by taking victory in the Superstock race in 2024 so will be aiming for a repeat of that result.
Dunlop was best of the Supersports on his Ducati V2 at 127.181, with Harrison close behind at 126.436 and then James Hillier on 124.576 on his Kawasaki.
Paton-mounted Rob Hodson topped the Supertwins with 119.521 but Michael Dunlop was hot on his heels at 119.068.
Ryan and Callum Crowe led the sidecars, registering 118.797 before the session was brought to a premature halt because low cloud had descended on parts of the course after the crews had completed just one lap.
Qualifying is scheduled to continue on Thursday evening, with a further session on Friday afternoon and racing starting with the first Supersport event on Saturday.
Tuesday's session had been designated as untimed free practice because of difficult conditions caused by damp patches around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course.
Wednesday TT qualifying leaderboard
Superbikes - 1 Dean Harrison (Honda) 133.069mph; 2 Peter Hickman (BMW) 131.076; 3 Davey Todd (BMW) 130.402; 4 Michael Dunlop (BMW) 129.975; 5 Nathan Harrison (Honda) 128.825; 6 Shaun Anderson (Suzuki) 128.14
Superstocks - 1 Davey Todd (BMW) 131.231; 2 Dean Harrison (Honda) 131.098; 3 Michael Dunlop (BMW) 130.387; 4 Dom Herbertson (Honda) 129.257; 5 Paul Jordan (Honda) 128.055; 6 Conor Cummins (BMW) 128.041
Supersports - 1 Michael Dunlop (Ducati) 127.181mph; 2 Dean Harrison (Honda) 126.436; 3 James Hillier (Kawasaki) 124.596; 4 Davey Todd (Honda) 124.238; 5 Peter Hickman (Triumph) 124.085; 6 Mike Browne (Yamaha) 123.998
Supertwins - 1 Rob Hodson (Paton) 119.521; 2 Michael Dunlop (Paton) 119.068; 3 Michael Evans (Kawasaki) 118.646; 4 Mike Browne (Kawasaki) 118.579; 5 Davey Todd (Paton) 117.634; 6 Peter Hickman (Yamaha) 116.718
Sidecars - 1 Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe (Honda) 118.797; 2 Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley (Honda) 115.37; 3 Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (Kawasaki) 113.742