SEEDED SUPERSPORT RIDERS REVEALED

Having provided some of the closest racing last year, excitement builds for the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races with the confirmation of the top 20 seeded riders for the two 4-lap Monster Energy Supersport TT Races.

Slight changes can be seen throughout the top 20 when compared to the Superbike and Superstock classes, but it will again be the returning David Johnson who sets off towards Bray Hill first, carrying the number 1 on the C&L Fairburn Properties/Jackson Racing Honda.

Dean Harrison, one of only two riders to lap at more than 129mph in the class, is again at number 2, but for the first time since 2015 he rides for a different team and manufacturer; the 2018 Supersport winner now lining up on the Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha.

2018 Supersport winner Dean Harrison will this year line up on the Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha

There’s change at number 3, too. Instead of John McGuinness MBE, Paul Jordan starts. The Northern Irishman and his PreZ Racing Yamaha team are rewarded with a high start number after some strong showings last year.

The next three riders retain the same starting positions as they have in the 1000cc classes: Jamie Coward (KTS Racing, Yamaha), James Hillier (TBC) and Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Yamaha), with all three amongst the pre-race favourites for podiums and outright glory.

Race favourite Jamie Coward lines up with the same number as he will in the Superbike races

Dunlop is the one everyone in the field has to beat. The 21-time TT race winner took victory in both races last year when he increased his own lap record to a mightily impressive 129.475mph.

Two-time winner Gary Johnson (JR Performance/Astro Van Suzuki) is back in his familiar number 7 position and behind him he’ll have four more riders intent on victory: Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles, Honda), Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing, Yamaha), Peter Hickman (K2 Trooper by PHR, Triumph) and Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles, Honda) get their respective races underway in quick succession, so the action on the road will certainly be red hot.

Peter Hickman retains his number 10 position, flanked by other serious podium contenders

At number 13 is Dominic Herbertson (F.W Cowton, Kawasaki) with the next two riders, James Hind (Bass Tyre Services, Yamaha) and Rob Hodson (SMT/VRS Recovery, Yamaha) getting their first taste as seeded riders in the Supersport class.

Mike Browne, ninth last year in the second race, starts at number 16 on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Yamaha, ten seconds ahead of regular sparring partner on the Irish roads, Michael Sweeney (EM Building, Yamaha).

Shaun Anderson (Team Kibosh, Honda) and Craig Neve (Bathams Racing, Triumph) are again seeded – the latter the sole Bathams Ales representative in the race, this time on the ex-Hickman Triumph. Sandwiched between them is former Manx Grand Prix winner, Michael Evans, on the AGR Motorsport Honda.

Fans will be able to find the full entry lists for all races exclusively in the 2023 Official Programme. This year’s programme will be available to buy online as well as in-store on the Isle of Man from the end of April and is set to be bursting with all the exclusive features, insights and race information you need for the complete TT experience. Fans can sign up here to the Official TT Newsletter to be the first to know when the programme goes on sale.