
Rain thwarts first day of practice at Isle of Man TT with more forecast for later in the week
Further rain is expected on the island on Tuesday, but Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson is confident the weather will change for the better on Wednesday, issuing a 'positive' update for the remainder of practice week.
Roads are scheduled to close this evening for practice but it could be tomorrow before Michael Dunlop and his fellow TT contenders complete their first laps of the 2025 event in anger.
Thompson said high pressure was set to bring improved weather from Wednesday.
'We had to take the decision to cancel the rest of today's schedule, which was going to be a free practice for all the solos and Sidecars,' said Thompson.
'We gave it a go this morning and obviously we were aware there was going to be a weather front coming in, but we were expecting that weather front to come in slightly later.
'We got the newcomers' lap out of the way for both solos and Sidecars but unfortunately the rain came in earlier than expected.
'There is another weather front coming in on Tuesday evening so we're going to take that as it comes and try to get all the sessions out, but if not, we're looking good for Wednesday, and the rest of the week is looking much more positive.
'We've got a ridge of high pressure coming in on Wednesday for a couple of days, so we'll try tomorrow but if not, then we're going to go on Wednesday evening.'
The first Supersport and Sidecar races are scheduled to take place on Saturday but further disruption to practice and qualifying could potentially see the start of racing pushed back.
Ulsterman Dunlop is gunning for a landmark 30th TT win after becoming the most successful rider in the history of the event in 2024, when the 36-year-old won four races to overtake his uncle Joey's 24-year-old record of 26 wins.
Dunlop is poised on 29 victories and arrived at the TT on the back of a confidence-inspiring treble at the North West 200 earlier this month.

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