Persistent rain once again played a major role at the 2026 Isle of Man TT, forcing organizers to drastically alter Tuesday’s race program. Of the three races originally scheduled, only the Monster Energy Supersport TT was able to go ahead, with Michael Dunlop continuing his remarkable run of success in the category.

The day had initially been set to feature the postponed RL360 Superstock TT, the inaugural Carole Nash Sportbike TT, and the first Supersport race of the week. However, heavy overnight rainfall left large sections of the Mountain Course damp, making an early start impossible and triggering a series of schedule revisions throughout the day.

After several delays, the Supersport TT eventually got underway in the afternoon as a shortened three-lap contest. Riders approached the opening lap with caution due to the mixed conditions, but Dean Harrison quickly emerged as the early pace-setter and held a narrow advantage during the initial stages.

The race began to shift following the mandatory pit stop at the end of lap one. Dunlop edged ahead by the slimmest of margins and steadily increased his control over the event as the laps unfolded. Once in front, the Northern Irishman looked composed and confident, securing yet another victory in the class that has long been one of his strongest.

The triumph marked Dunlop’s 34th TT victory overall and extended his unbeaten streak in Supersport races to nine consecutive wins, further cementing his status as one of the discipline’s all-time greats.

Harrison mounted a determined challenge throughout the race but faced a difficult task against the power advantage of the latest-generation Ducati machinery. Despite extracting everything possible from his Honda CBR600RR, he ultimately settled for second place after another impressive performance on the Mountain Course.

Peter Hickman completed the podium after a strong recovery. Having admitted to riding conservatively during the opening lap as he assessed the changing grip levels, the experienced rider steadily increased his pace and moved into third position later in the race.

Paul Jordan delivered one of the standout performances of the day, running inside the podium positions for much of the contest before eventually finishing fourth. Josh Brookes rounded out the top five aboard his Suzuki, while Dominic Herbertson secured sixth place on his Triumph.

Speaking after the race, Dunlop praised his team and machine for delivering flawlessly in challenging conditions. He highlighted the unpredictable nature of the weather but expressed satisfaction at adding another TT victory to his growing record.

Harrison also took positives from the event, noting that both competitors and fans were eager to see racing take place despite the uncertain forecast. While acknowledging the performance gap he faced, he remained encouraged by the progress shown by his Honda package throughout the season.

Attention now turns to the remainder of race week, although the weather continues to create uncertainty. Officials have indicated that every possible opportunity will be explored to complete the postponed races, with improved conditions expected later in the week. Should the forecast improve as anticipated, fans could be treated to a busy and action-packed finale to TT 2026.

Source: Compiled from various sources