Williams Claims Maiden Supersport MGP Win In Thrilling Four-Lap Battle
23 August 2025 · 19:00  Manx Motor Cycle Club

2025 Supersport Manx Grand Prix
After a fantastic Supertwin race earlier, the scene was set for the first big-bike race, the 4-lap 2025 Supersport Manx Grand Prix. Fastest in practice, Jamie Williams was first away from the line, followed by Chris Cook. Previous double Manx Grand Prix winner Andy Farrell suffered an issue on the line but managed to get going, with No. 4 Adrian Harrison, brother of Dean, setting off immediately behind in hot pursuit.
Johnny Stewart (No. 7) led at Glen Helen on lap one, with Toby Shann, fresh from his first podium that morning, in second. Both Shann and Stewart were recognised as the two best newcomers of the 2024 MGP. Chris Cook sat third, Canny fourth, Williams fifth, and Don Gilbert sixth. Just six seconds separated the top 15 at Glen Helen.
By Ballaugh, Cook had taken the lead with the fastest Glen Helen to Ballaugh sector time of the week. At Ramsey, Williams was up to third and beginning to show intent. At the end of lap one the top three all posted 119+ mph laps: Cook 119.222mph (18:59.28), Williams 119.204mph (18:59.45), and Shann 119.123mph (19:00.23). Canny was fourth, Whitehall fifth, and Gilbert completed the top six. Liam Chawke retired at the end of lap one with a gearbox issue.
Lap two saw the order unchanged until the Bungalow, where Ryan Whitehall moved into third ahead of Shann. By Cronk ny Mona, Williams had taken the lead from Cook by 0.736s as pit stops loomed.
Williams became the 31st member of the Tommy Club at the end of lap two, recording a 120.005mph lap (18:51.85). He led 2024 Senior MGP runner-up Cook by 1.8s with a lap time of 119.789mph (18:53.89), with Canny in third 119.732mph (18:54.43). Newcomer Grant Thomson impressed with eighth place at 118.758mph (19:03.73), while fellow newcomer Eddy Wormald held 14th on his Yamaha R6. The fastest through the Sulby Speed Trap was Graham McAleese at 165.331mph, also on a Yamaha R6.
Wormald’s team recorded the fastest pit stop of the day at 44.85s. By comparison, Williams pitstop was 55.1s, Cook in 57.4s, Canny in 51.9s, and Whitehall in 54.0s, underlining how crucial pitstops are to podium chances. Farrell retired in the pits at the end of lap two.
Lap three began with less than nine seconds covering the top five. Thanks to a quicker stop, Canny slotted into second at Glen Helen, just 2.1s behind Williams. By Ramsey the gap was down to 0.947s, and by the Bungalow it had narrowed further to 0.402s. Thomson continued as top newcomers in seventh.
At Cronk ny Mona, Whitehall was only 0.089s behind Cook in third. At the end of lap three, Williams had stretched his advantage to 1.41s over Canny. Whitehall was 7.8s further back, with Cook 1.58s adrift in fourth, Gahan in fifth, and Shann in sixth. Thomson remained the top newcomer in seventh ahead of Don Gilbert. McAleese again topped the Sulby Speed Trap at 164.4mph, with Williams second fastest at 163.28mph on the NCE Racing Honda.
The riders headed onto the fourth and final lap with local man Williams, who made his MGP debut in 2016, aiming for his maiden Mountain Course win before stepping up to the TT in 2026. At Ballaugh, he led Canny by 2.56s, with Whitehall a further 4.5s back. Unfortunately, leading newcomer Thomson retired at Ballacraine. By Ramsey, Williams had extended his lead to 3.3s. At the Bungalow, he pushed hard, setting his fastest Ramsey to Bungalow sector of the week to stretch the gap to 6.2s.
Williams crossed the line to take his first Manx Grand Prix victory, setting a personal best of 120.524mph (18:46.98). Canny finished second with his fastest-ever lap of 119.996mph (18:52.22). Remarkably, Whitehall, Cook, and Gahan all broke the 120mph barrier to join the Tommy Club: Whitehall 120.583mph (18:46.42), Cook 120.005mph (18:51.85), and Gahan 120.664mph (18:45.66). Shann, fresh from his Supertwin podium, completed the top six.
In the winners’ enclosure, Williams celebrated with a burnout before slumping over his tank in relief. “It’s hard to put into words how much this means,” he said. “This time last year I was in Aintree hospital, now I’m in the Tommy Club.” Canny and Shann, both 2024 newcomers, joined him on an emotional podium. Both Supersport and Supertwin races had delivered the close, dramatic racing that defines the Manx Grand Prix.
The Supersport MGP, a new class for 2025, now has its first lap record holder, Michael Gahan at 120.664mph (18:45.66).
Sunday is a rest day, giving riders and teams chance to regroup before racing resumes on Bank Holiday Monday. Two more places in the Tommy Club remain up for grabs, who will claim them?
Words: Lee & Carol Bartram  |  Photos: Lucas Croydon / David Lovelady

----------------------------------------------------
VERSION 1  ·  issued/updated 19 Jul 2026 01:28
