PRACTICE/QUALIFYING REPORT
MEDIABOX
The Manx GRAND PRIX 2025 is officially underway!
MGP DAY 1 - The weather gods were smiling as perfect conditions welcomed Day 1 of the 2025 Manx Grand Prix.
Johnny Barton led the first wave of this year’s MGP newcomers, which included local riders Grant Thomson, Blake Kelly, and Sam Naughton. Other groups of newcomers were guided by big names such as TT legend John McGuinness, Ryan Cringle, and TM No. 7 Jonny Heginbotham. There was a mix of excitement and nerves in the air as all 29 newcomers set off down Glencrutchery Road to experience the Mountain Course on closed roads for the very first time, as part of the speed-controlled Newcomers’ Lap.
The first official practice session of 2025 began right on schedule, with the Supertwins leading the charge. Local favourite Jamie Williams wasted no time, immediately setting the pace with an opening lap of 111.79mph (20:14.986). Hot on his heels were Michael Gahan (110.49mph) and Liam Chalke (110.35mph), both breaking the 110mph mark on their first laps. Sadly, local newcomer Luke Blevins was forced to retire at Ramsey with a mechanical issue, cutting short his first solo lap and forcing him out of the rest of the days action.
By the close of the Supertwin sessions, Michael Gahan topped the leaderboard with a 111.85mph lap on his second of four laps. Jamie Williams held onto second place with his opening effort, followed by Lewis Arrowsmith and Liam Chawke. Impressively, the top nine all broke the 110mph barrier on Day 1.
Among the newcomers, Eddy Wormald stole the spotlight, setting the fastest rookie lap of the day at 110.10mph on his fourth lap. He also clocked the fastest speed through the Sulby Speed Trap at a blistering 153.14mph on the ILR Paton. Local rider Grant Thomson was the second quickest newcomer with 108.76mph on his Kel Properties Z650, followed by Lee Hara on an Aprilia RS660 and William Grant on the Cowton Racing Kawasaki.
Next up, the Supersport class got underway in perfect conditions. Once again, Jamie Williams struck first with a lap in excess of 115mph on the JLG/NCE Racing CBR600 Honda. However it was Chris Cook, runner-up behind Dan Ingham in last year’s Senior Manx Grand Prix, who went fastest overall, posting a superb 117.73mph (19:13.719). Williams wasn’t far behind with 116.95mph, while returning double MGP winner and Tommy Club member Andy Farrell slotted into third with 116.58mph. The pace across the field was impressive, with the top 12 riders all recording laps over 114mph.
In the Supersport class, newcomer, Eddy Wormald once again led the charge, achieving 13th overall with a 113.79mph lap on his Yamaha R6. Double 2025 Pre-TT and Southern 100 winner Grant Thomson wasn’t far behind, setting an impressive 113.04mph, while Swiss rider Matthieu Pauchard rounded out the top three rookies with a lap just over 112mph.
Irish rider James Walsh (No. 55) came off his JBW Racing Aprilia at Cruickshanks on his opening Supertwin lap. He was reported as conscious and talking, before being transferred to Noble’s Hospital for assessment with a possible hip injury.
Day 1 proved to be a thrilling opener, with riders and fans alike buzzing from the action. Jamie Williams admitted he felt like he was “just tootling around, getting a feel for it again,” despite his impressive pace. Meanwhile, local newcomer Blake Kelly summed up the dream of many: “To spend so many years watching from the hedges, and now to be on the other side, is a dream come true.”
With the weather forecast looking promising for the week ahead, all eyes now turn to Day 2. Qualifying begins at 18:30 with the Supersport and Senior machines tackling a 50-minute session, followed by the Supertwins.
Mediabox with photos and PDF results are available above, or you can view individual results from today on our 2025 RESULTS PAGE
END.
WORDS : Lee & Carol Bartram | Photos : lucas croydon
WORDS : Lee & Carol Bartram | Photos : lucas croydon