JOHN MCGUINNESS
Without doubt, McGuinness is the current King of the Mountain, the outright lap record holder and a cut above the rest. Since 2000, he has taken no less than 10 podiums from 12 Superbike races and racked up 6 wins on the 1000cc machines so he’s clearly the man to beat. Surprisingly, he was the last top-flight rider to secure a ride for this year’s event but John is nothing but canny and the decision to remain with Honda is sure to pay dividends for the laid back Morecambe rider. The long established Padgett’s concern are multiple British Champions and will be keen to gain another TT win so don’t be surprised to see another hat-trick head the way of Mr McGuinness.
IAN LOUGHER
The veteran of the pack, Lougher is still very much at the top of his game and he goes into each race as a potential winner. Ian knows the Mountain Course better than anyone else and this experience goes a long way to keeping him at the front of the pack. However, you can only do it with talent and the Irish based Welshman has it in bundles and the rest of the field know exactly what challenge he offers. Back again with Paul Bird’s Stobart Honda team, Lougher craves for a Superbike win on the Island and if he achieves that this year, his CV will be complete. Only Joey Dunlop has more TT podiums.
MARTIN FINNEGAN
2006 was a disappointing year on the Island for Finnegan and having come into the event as the new pretender, he left with everyone saying ‘what happened?’ Machine problems held him back but the experience will stand his Klaffi Honda team in good stead and they are mega-determined to redress the balance and give the youngster the tools he needs to do the job. Road racing fans know what a talent he is - Finnegan still bagged the Irish Road Race Championship despite last year’s problems! Supersport success may be more difficult but with the might of the MV Agusta factory backing his Superstock bid, this will be one of the most eagerly watched rides of the week.
BRUCE ANSTEY
A rider who shuns the limelight and publicity, Anstey definitely does all his talking on the track and his final lap in last year’s Senior TT has whetted the appetite of everyone for 2007. We all know what he can do in the Superstock and Supersport classes but the Superbike class is the ultimate test and that 129mph lap has made us all ask the question – is he the man to beat McGuinness? He may be softly spoken but he’s as hard a competitor as anyone and if awards were handed out for determination, he’d have a hat full. Now in his fourth year with TAS Suzuki, Bruce will be there or thereabouts in every race.
GUY MARTIN
Still only, 25 Martin made the surprise switch in the close season from AIM Racing Yamaha to Hydrex Honda, who have yet to prove themselves on the roads but if anyone can deliver the results then Martin can. He proved how fast he could be at last year’s event and was only 3 seconds behind McGuinness in the Senior race when an oil leak snuffed out his challenge. Arguably the most talented rider on the grid, an unprecedented four timer at last year’s Ulster GP shows he has what it takes to win International races and if he has that bit of luck required on the Island, he could well walk away with more than one win to his name.
ADRIAN ARCHIBALD
2006 was arguably the most disappointing year in the Ballymoney rider’s career and he comes into this year’s event with it all to do. Many wonder if he can repeat his success of the past but since the turn of the decade only three riders have won Superbike races on the Island and Adrian is one of them. On his day, there’s no doubt he can run at the front and his rivals still fear and respect him. The machines will be good enough and the team is good enough so if Adrian has the hunger and desire, he’ll be back in contention. And let’s face it - if there’s one event in existence to give you that hunger, it’s the Centenary TT!
RAYMOND PORTER
A former Manx Grand Prix winner, Porter comes into this year’s race with a question mark beside his name. Undoubtedly fast, Raymond is one of the few riders who have made the successful step up from Irish National racing to the Internationals but serious injuries at Killalane last year mean the North West 200 will be his first race of the year. The lack of track time may count against him but he proved at the 2006 Ulster GP that he can run with, and beat, the likes of Lougher, McGuinness and Hutchinson and linking up with McAdoo Kawasaki will do his career no harm at all.
RYAN FARQUHAR
2006 should have been Ryan’s year but it all went wrong before it had even started and it will be interesting to see how he performs on his return. His outing in the Classic races at the Manx Grand Prix will have refreshed his memory of the Mountain Course but a lot will depend on the competitiveness of his Superbike mount and this is the class where he is yet to really deliver at the TT. Without doubt, he’ll be a potential winner in the Supersport and Superstock races and Ryan always thrives in an underdog environment and with his determination higher than anyone else’s out there, he’s sure to figure.
IAN HUTCHINSON
One of the most exciting youngsters currently plying his trade on the roads, ‘Hutchy’ was a revelation in 2006 on board the McAdoo Kawasaki’s and it came as no surprise when HM Plant Honda snapped up his services. Replacing his good friend McGuinness will be no easy task and he undoubtedly has the biggest of all the boots to fill but he is supremely talented and more podiums are sure to come his way. This will be his fourth year of racing at the TT and he now has the experience and race craft to challenge for race wins – 2007 could well be the year he takes his first ever TT win.
MICHAEL RUTTER
Rutter’s return to the TT has been the topic of discussion each and every year since he last raced and he finally comes back to one of his most successful stamping grounds. Undoubtedly, Rutter is an extremely talented road racer but it is seven years since his last appearance and the speeds have risen considerably since 2000. Riding a factory supported Kawasaki will help him go quicker but whether he can make the jump up to 129mph laps remains to be seen. He is a massive name to have back on the grid and although a win may be just out of his reach this year, podium positions most definitely aren’t.
CAMERON DONALD
The sensation of pure road racing in 2006 right across the British Isles, not just the TT, the young Australian became the third fastest rider in the history of the event last year with a brilliant second place in the Senior race. His performances last year, along with those in Ireland and at the Southern 100, have earned the Uel Duncan team official Honda backing, which will only help his cause even more. Now in his third year of racing at the TT, Donald has to cope with huge expectations and pressure and if he can overcome this, and maintain the progress he has already shown, he could well chalk up his first TT win.
CARL RENNIE
Carl finally got his big chance in 2006 with some top-level machinery and the results were both immediate and impressive. Having already excelled as a privateer, Rennie used the Hawk BSB Kawasaki to devastating effect taking sixth and seventh in the Senior and Superbike races respectively. His best lap of 124.867mph was equally impressive and it’s little wonder that Stuart Hicken has lent his support to Carl once more. After a season taking in more real road racing than ever before, Rennie will be approaching this year’s TT with bundles of experience and results like those in 2006 or better are on the cards for the amiable Lancastrian.
CONOR CUMMINS
A revelation in 2006, young Cummins had his first ever road race at least year’s North West 200 and immediately rocked the established guard. At the end of TT fortnight, he walked away with the Newcomer’s Trophy, a 120mph lap and an incredibly bright future, which has showed no signs of fizzling out. A natural road racer without a doubt, Cummins is still only 20 and has all the ingredients to go all the way. Although this will be just his second year at the TT, he has a great team behind him and it’s highly likely he’ll be a top ten finisher. Could well end the week as the fastest Manxman.
JASON GRIFFITHS
Griffiths had another excellent TT in 2006 scoring two more podium finishes but that much yearned for win again eluded him. Only competed in two meetings last year and a certain amount of doubt accompanies his participation at this year’s event but, if he’s on the starting line, he’ll be in contention. Perhaps his best chances come in the Superstock and Supersport races but he’ll give a good account of himself in every race. Now working for Pirelli, Jason has scored more podiums than any other rider who hasn’t won a TT. A win for Jason would be a popular win indeed.
PAUL HUNT
The fastest Manxman ever to have lapped the 37- mile course, Big H can still run with the best and his appetite is as strong as ever. Indeed, reports suggest that Big H has undertaken a comprehensive fitness regime over the winter months and a leaner, fitter Big H will take to the starting grids this season. Hunt finally got a chance with a top team last year (Team Racing), and went faster than ever before, racking up a string of top ten finishes. Arguably in the twilight of his career, he has secured an ex-Virgin Mobile BSB Yamaha so he definitely has a quality machine to improve his TT results even further.
NIGEL BEATTIE
One of the most stylish and most consistent riders in the field, the Laxey rider also has an old head on his young shoulders and he has been going about his business in a steadfast manner. A 250cc winner at the North West 200, Beattie has achieved a lot with his close-knit private team who operated professionally on a limited budget and he has been rewarded with a switch to the CD Racing set-up. This year will see him be able to concentrate solely on his racing and he is sure to figure even more prominently and he could well end the fortnight as the star local performer.
JEREMY TOYE
One of the star performers in 2006, Toye was the fastest of all the newcomers and scotched the theory that you need pure road race experience before coming to the TT. A regular top ten finished in AMA Superbike races, Toye took to the Mountain Course like a natural and he impressed everyone with his professional attitude and his smooth, flowing style. After challenging the British and Irish stars at the Macau Grand Prix, Toye will return this year more experienced and stronger than before and, like Cummins, should make an impression on the top 15 at least.
MICHAEL WEYNAND
Weynand was forced to sit out last year’s event but everyone can still remember his performances as a newcomer in 2005. Despite riding a completely standard 600cc Suzuki, the Belgian rider scored two top twenty finishes in the Supersport races lapping at just under 118mph and with a Superbike at his disposal this year, his return his eagerly awaited. Weynand is also one of two riders in the Swiss World Endurance Team - Bolliger Kawasaki. With this kind of support, the rapid Belgian will easily crack the 120mph barrier and a top 10 finish is not beyond him. His return is a real boost for the TT and is eagerly anticipated.
MARK MILLER
Miller came to the TT last year with just a standard 750cc Suzuki at his disposal but he left with two bronze replicas to his name and a personal best lap of just a fraction under 120mph, a phenomenal performance. Not only that, but he bonded with the course like an experienced campaigner and he has already vowed to return year on year, a terrific boost for all concerned. A major asset to the event, Miller is a former two-time podium finisher at Macau and his progress up the leaderboard this June will be viewed with interest - especially if, as likely, he returns with Superbike machinery.