Davey Todd has claimed another remarkable victory in the Isle of Man TT race. The Milwaukee BMW rider won the thrilling Milwaukee Senior TT race by 39.084 seconds ahead of Josh Brookes (Monster Energy BMW by FHO Racing) and Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK).
Peter Hickman, Brookes’ team-mate, led after the first lap with a speed of 135.523 mph (217.99 km/h) and was well on his way to setting a new lap record. However, he came off the track unhurt at Ginger Hall, while record winner Michael Dunlop (MasterMac Hawk Honda) retired on the first lap.
Historic success for TAS Racing
Todd’s victory meant the first senior win for TAS Racing since Adrian Archibald in 2004 and also the 21st TT win overall for the team.
Ideal conditions at the start
The race started at 6pm in ideal conditions. Hickman led on the opening lap through Glen Helen, just a tenth of a second ahead of Todd. Dunlop was 2.3 seconds back in third place, closely followed by Harrison. Brookes and James Hillier (WTF Racing Honda) completed the early top six, with Hillier just one second ahead of John McGuinness (Honda Racing). KTS Racing’s Jamie Coward withdrew from the race due to a lingering arm injury.
Increased tension after the retirement
Hickman extended his lead to 1.5 seconds, while Dunlop remained in third place, but over four seconds behind the race leader. McGuinness took over sixth place, while James Hind on the North Lincs Components Suzuki moved up to an impressive seventh place. At Ramsey, Hickman increased his lead by a further second thanks to Ballaugh’s fastest sector time, while Todd was now six seconds ahead of Dunlop. But the drama was not long in coming as Dunlop retired from the race after the Bungalow.
New records and dramatic twists and turns
An opening lap of 135.23 mph (217.74 km/h) gave Hickman a 2.7-second lead over Todd (135.159 mph; 217.64 km/h), while Brookes was now in third place with a speed of 133.388 mph (214.70 km/h). Harrison (132.976 mph; 214.05 km/h), Hillier (130.777 mph; 210.44 km/h) and Mike Browne (130.536 mph; 210.05 km/h) finished fourth through sixth, with Browne posting his first 130-mph lap (209.21 km/h) on the IN Competition Aprilia. McGuinness, Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki), Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing UK) and Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW) completed the top ten.
Hickman’s spectacular accident
Hickman set another record sector at the start of the second lap, from Grandstand to Glen Helen, extending his lead over Todd to 4.8 seconds. Despite Todd’s efforts, he was unable to close the gap due to Hickman’s incredible pace. Beyond Ballaugh Bridge, Hickman reached a new record sector and extended his lead to 8.3 seconds. However, shortly afterwards Hickman crashed at Ginger Hall but was uninjured, putting Todd in the lead, almost twenty seconds ahead of Brookes.
Todd retains the lead
A second lap of 134.789 mph (216.92 km/h) gave Todd a lead of 18.6 seconds, while Brookes impressed with a new personal best of 134.056 mph (215.79 km/h). Dean Harrison (132.445 mph; 213.14 km/h) held a comfortable third place ahead of Hillier (132.068 mph; 212.51 km/h), the fast Browne (130.872 mph; 210.66 km/h) and McGuinness (130.901 mph; 210.70 km/h). All this drama allowed Herbertson to move up to seventh place, ahead of Nathan Harrison, Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Honda) and Michael Rutter (Bathams Ales BMW).
Pit stop makes for changes
The only pit stop caused further changes as Todd’s stop was almost seven seconds quicker than Brookes’, although the FHO Racing rider was still almost ten seconds ahead of Harrison as they reached Glen Helen for the third and penultimate time. Hillier looked secure in fourth position, while Browne pulled away from McGuinness, who uncharacteristically lost time in the pits. Herbertson’s strong ride, however, ended in a retirement to Crosby.
Final round and certain victory
At the start of the fourth and final lap, Todd was more than half a minute in the lead and on his way to a famous victory. Despite his large lead, he continued to ride to steadily increase his advantage. A trouble-free final lap saw the 28-year-old bring the bike home safely and secure the win by 39 seconds from Brookes, who achieved his best TT result with second place.
Harrison on the podium
Dean Harrison took a comfortable third place, ahead of fellow Honda rider Hillier. The race for fifth place was won by McGuinness as he beat the impressive Browne by seven seconds. Nathan Harrison achieved an excellent seventh place, his best TT result. Anderson finally secured eighth place with a new personal best of 130.703 mph (210.39 km/h), ahead of Rutter and Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda).
