2022 ushers in new era for Supertwin TT
The Bennetts Supertwin TT at the 2022 Isle of Man TT will see Aprilia and Yamaha take the fight to class leaders Kawasaki and Paton across what are expected to be four closely-fought laps.
Carefully established rules introduced for 2022 sees engine capacity limits increase from 650cc to 700cc, meaning the Aprilia RS660 and Yamaha R7 compete against the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Paton S1R that have dominated the class since it’s reintroduction to the TT race schedule back in 2012 as the Lightweigh TT, but for 2022 becomes known as the Supertwin TT. Nevertheless, Michael Dunlop is once again expected to be the man to beat.
Winner of the last two races and the current lap record holder courtesy of a 2018 lap at an average speed of 122.750mph, Dunlop starts at number 6 on the MD Racing Paton, 50 seconds after closest challenger from 2019, Jamie Coward. The KTS Racing powered by Steadplan Kawasaki rider only missed out on the win by 1.2s in 2019, and will carry the number one plate for the very first time at the TT Races this year.
Coward will be followed by two of the new Aprilias, with regular class front-runner Stefano Bonetti from Italy making the switch from a Paton and going at number 2, and Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston starting at number three.
2017 winner Michael Rutter starts at number 4 and is back on board a Paton, courtesy of Team ILR managed by ten-time TT winner, Ian Lougher.
Peter Hickman is another of the ‘big names’ to have entered and provisionally holds his customary number 10, but he has yet to confirm his machine choice for the class at the time of writing.
Three-time class winners Dafabet Racing will field Gary Johnson at number 7 on one of their highly-developed Kawasakis, with team-mate Rob Hodson getting his race underway from number 11.
Hodson will be looking to make the most of his highest-ever TT start position in a class that has historically shone the spotlight on some less well-known competitors. Dominic Herbertson, Paul Jordan, and Michael Sweeney will have a similar mindset, riding at numbers 5, 8, and 13 respectively.
Adam McLean and McAdoo Racing have a great chance of a strong result from their number 14 starting position, whilst two places ahead of him will be double Manx GP winner and Classic TT podium finisher, James Hind. He’s team-mates to Rutter on another Team ILR/Mark Coverdale Paton.
Austrian ace Julian Trummer (15) already has a top ten position to his name in the class and will be aiming for more of the same on the WH Racing Kawasaki.
Outside of the top 20, this year’s sole female solo competitor, Maria Costello starts at number 30 on the Mark Coverdale/RAM Safety Solutions Paton, while the three newcomers of Jamie Cringle (42), Joseph Loughlin (48), and Craig Szczypek (57) get their first taste of the smallest category.
Top 20 entries for the Bennetts Supertwin TT
- Jamie Coward – KTS Racing powered by Steadplan, Kawasaki
- Stefano Bonetti – Speed Motor, Aprilia
- Lee Johnston – Ashcourt Racing, Aprilia
- Michael Rutter – ILR, Paton
- Dominic Herbertson – CC Engineering, Kawasaki
- Michael Dunlop – MD Racing, Paton
- Gary Johnson – Dafabet Racing, Kawasaki
- Paul Jordan – PreZ Racing, Kawasaki
- Peter Hickman – PHR Performance, TBC
- Rob Hodson – Dafabet Racing, Kawasaki
- James Hind – ILR/Mark Coverdale, Paton
- Michael Sweeney – KBS Kawasaki, Kawasaki
- Adam McLean – Gortreagh Printing/McAdoo Kawasaki, Kawasaki
- Julian Trummer – WH Racing powered by Dynobike, Kawasaki
- James Chawke – CBG Contractors, Kawasaki
- Brian McCormack – JT Performance by Global Robots, Aprilia
- Michael Evans – Heattech Racing, Kawasaki
- John Barton – Wemoto, Kawasaki
- Michael Russell – Fraser Evans Tyre Recycling, Aprilia
