In the Hall of the Mountain King - Isle of Man TT 2015 Review

After two weeks of pure theatre, the Isle of Man has fallen silent for another year as the TT draws to its conclusion. But, as the saying goes, don't be sad that it is finished, be happy that it happened; and there is a lot to be happy about. In my short 18 years I can honestly say that TT 2015 was the best I have ever seen. It had drama, shocks, surprises and fairytales.

The drama began during practice week when Michael Dunlop announced that he'd split with the Milwaukee Yamaha team and was switching back to BMW machinery with the Buildbase squad. The signs were there; the North West 200 had gone abysmally and practice week yielded a lap good enough for just 13th and a lap of 125mph when the faster guys were posting high 127mph laps. Even more telling was that Michael had brought the 2014 S1000RR for his Superstock effort instead of an R1. But yet, it still came as a shock. To split with your team on the eve of racing is a brave decision, but to do so at the TT is insane. So Michael had to learn the 2015 S1000RR in the precious little time left of practice week. Superstock practice showed that he was very much back to his old self with a fastest time in that session and the fourth fastest time overall.

The first Superbike race revealed that the 2015 BMW was a bit more of a handful, though Michael wrestled it all the way and was sat in a podium spot when he crashed at the Nook on the final lap. Battered and bruised, his TT was severely curtailed and that meant that we never got to see what the Ballymoney man could truly do, though I'd be willing to bet that the Senior would have had a different outcome. A podium in the Superstock race was the highlight.

What a difference a year makes, eh?

The same could be said for a certain Bingley Bullet. Ian Hutchinson's 2014 TT was a forgettable one. The Yamaha an underwhelming bike, and his fragmented visits to the island between then and 2010 owing to his loss of form. Firmly in the past now, Ian Hutchinson came into this years event looking rejuvenated following a strong North West on the PBM Kawasaki which yielded a couple of rostrums.

He too had an eleventh-hour bike switch. Set to pilot the MV Agusta F4 675 in the Supersport races, the Tsingato team backed out and led Hutchy to Keith Flint's Team Traction Control and the Yamaha R6. A slight detraction of focus, but it would prove to be the best thing that could have happened. Hutchy, more determined than ever, guided his R6 to victory in the opening Supersport TT – his first win at the island since 2010. Back and better than ever, Hutchy then took the second Supersport race and the Superstock TT (despite running out of fuel on the final lap and nearly chucking it away after a hairy moment with a kerb at Signpost).

The question remained; could he deliver the goods in the Senior? He was my bet coming into the week.

The one everyone wanted to do well, as is the case every single year, was Guy Martin. Now with BMW and Triumph machinery, the best of 2014, surely this was the year? No. Thwarted by mechanical issues in the first Superbike race and a 30-second time penalty in the first Supersport race, the outlook for the remainder of the week was not pragmatic. The Superstock race awarded a measly 7th. Guy scored a well deserved 3rd in the second Supersport race but conceded that the bike was better than that and that he needed to do better. Though 4th was all he could manage in the Senior, he did join the 132mph club showing that the speed and determination to win is there.

If you are sat there wondering if this will be the last time the Lincolnshire rider will be at the island then fear not – he'll be back, and I can guarantee you that it will be with a bang.

Bruce Anstey looked ominous in practice having set the pace on the opening night, and cruised to victory in the RST Superbike TT. Podiums in the two Supersport races and the Zero TT set the Kiwi rider up nicely for the curtain closing Senior TT at the end of the week. But you never can tell what Bruce will do when the day comes.

The Senior TT had everyone pinning Hutchy and Anstey as the combatants. By race end Hutchy was 3rd and Anstey was 8th. No one gave John McGuinness a look in for the win after his week leading up to this point. It was almost as if the McGuinness that lined up at the starting gate was a new man, pushing his Fireblade to its absolute limits and sometimes over it. Short circuit style through corners, McGuinness made his intentions clear from the off and never looked back. Taking his 23rd win and second of the week after success in the electric race, it was also one of the most popular wins of the week. Everyone likes John McGuinness and when he's winning all seems to be right with the world.

Very much in the twilight year of his career, the 'R' word must ultimately come up at some point... but not for a few years yet.

One man that impressed big time was James Hillier. The Quattro Plant Kawasaki rider has been creeping his way into the spotlight over the past few years, and cemented himself as a big contender for next year after finishing both Superbike races on the podium having led both of them briefly, as well as joining the 132mph club in the Senior. Hillier narrowly missed out his first victory in the Lightweight race by just under 4-seconds to Ivan Lintin, but did set a new lap record for the class with a lap of 120.848mph.

Lee Johnston came into the event with the 'dark horse' label. Strong showings on the Irish roads and decent machinery underneath the Northern Irishman put him in good stead for TT 2015. Johnston's highlight of the week came in the Superstock race where he beat out James Hillier for 3rd after a titanic final lap scrap. Expect consistent podium challenges from the General next year.

Though never as hyped as the solo events, the Sidecar's are undeniably one of the big highlights of race week. Ben and Tom Birchall dominated both races, smashing records in the process to put the woes of last year behind them. What was more amazing about their success was that they'd decided to forego world championship events to focus solely on getting fit for the TT. An odd decision maybe, but one that paid off massively for them.

We were robbed of a proper close fight for the wins as mechanical issues for the likes of Dave Molyneux, John Holden and Tim Reeves stagnated races somewhat. But that just sets up an even tastier 2016 contest; Birchall's want to retain their crown, the guys that didn't enjoy a great TT will eager to take it from them – an exciting prospect indeed.

Unfortunately, motorsport is a dangerous business and TT 2015 reminded us of that fact. Northern Irish rider Jamie Hamilton crashed on the opening lap of the Senior TT and was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition. At the time of writing his condition has thankfully improved and he has been transferred to a hospital in Belfast.

Hamilton's countryman and Tyco BMW rider William Dunlop crashed during a Superstock practice lap on the Monday of race week and was forced to sit out the remainder of this year's event, as was Keith Amor who crashed in the opening Supersport race.

Sadly, the week was preceded by tragedy when French rider Franck Petricola lost his life following a crash at the Sulby Crossroads during a Superbike practice session. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones.

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