P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Honda’s Dean Harrison begins racing at the TT as the rider to beat after topping practice
Honda’s Dean Harrison emerged as the fastest rider at the 2026 Isle of Man TT practice week, topping the time sheets with a 135mph lap on his Superstock bike during final qualifying on Friday. As a five-time TT winner, Harrison entered race week with strong momentum, showcasing impressive speed on his Honda machines throughout qualifying. He ended a victory drought from 2019 by clinching wins in last year’s TT Superstock class, setting the tone for this year’s competition. Harrison’s exceptional performance included setting a 135.484mph lap on his Superstock-spec bike in the last qualifying session, hinting at a potential new lap record. Despite challenges faced by other riders like Peter Hickman, who struggled with his Superstock-spec BMW, the stage is set for an exciting start to racing on Saturday, with Harrison leading the charge.
