SENIOR RACE PREVIEW
Since returning in 2022, the tweaking of the Manx Grand Prix regulations to establish the Senior and Junior races as feeder classes to the Isle of Man TT Races has been a resounding success.
The two most recent winners of the Senior Manx Grand Prix, Stephen Smith and Joe Yeardsley, made a seamless transition to the TT, like many before them, with both achieving a fine set of results on their debut at the June event.
So, who can we expect to make the running in this year’s Senior Manx GP?
Arguably, the four leading front runners – and where the winner could, or should, come from – are Dan Ingham, Jamie Williams, Maurizio Bottalico and Chris Cook.
All have demonstrated strong form on the 600cc machines around the Mountain Course with Ingham having taken second in the 2022 race and third twelve months ago.
That speaks for itself so can he complete the set and take the win this year?
Williams, Bottalico and Cook should provide his stiffest opposition with Manxman Williams having finished fourth twelve months ago.
He’s also a former podium finisher in the Junior race so should again be challenging for the top spot.
The same applies to Cook and Bottalico as although they’ve yet to trouble the podium finishers, they’ve already recorded 119mph+ laps, Cook in the Senior race two years ago and Bottalico in qualifying last year.
As expected, there are plenty of other riders more than capable of getting amongst the podium positions and at least the top six, none more so than Michael Rees, Damien Horan and Sam Johnson.
There are also several riders looking to make further progression around the Mountain Course with the likes of Eoin O’Siochru, Ryan Whitehall, Lancelot Unissart, Michael Gahan, Daniel Forbes and Jacque Foley all looking to make a significant impression.
Julien Cregniot, Yann Galli and Victor Ortega add to the overseas challenges whilst more than a dozen newcomers are amongst the entry including Ryan Garside, Johnny Stewart, Michael Mackinnon, Jack Sim, Caomhan Canny, Will Burchell, Toby Shann and Manxman Damien Crook.
