Manx rider Michael Evans will continue with Dafabet Racing for the 2026 Isle of Man TT, building on a breakthrough 2025 season where he first lapped the 130 mph Mountain Course. Announced from the Isle of Man on March 12, 2026, the partnership expands to include Supersport class entries alongside Superbike, Superstock, and Senior TT campaigns. This commitment underscores steady advancement in one of motorcycling's most demanding environments, where average lap speeds above 130 mph mark elite status amid narrow roads and unpredictable terrain.

Evans Builds Decade-Long Mountain Course Expertise

Evans first tackled the 37¾-mile Mountain Course a decade ago, winning the Newcomers Manx Grand Prix and returning to claim Junior and Senior Manx Grand Prix victories the next year, including an unbeaten 122.866 mph lap record. His TT debut arrived in 2018, yielding consistent top-20 results, interrupted only by a 2019 injury. By 2022, he broke the 125 mph barrier with a ninth in Supertwin; 2023 brought a career-best seventh there, plus gains in Supersport and 1000cc classes. Last year's Dafabet switch delivered ninth in Superbike, 11th and 13th in Superstock—including a 130.094 mph personal best—and another top-10 in Supersport, signaling readiness for top-10 contention across classes.

Dafabet Racing Bolsters Program with Proven Assets

The Bristol-based Dafabet Racing outfit brings deep Mountain Course credentials, including three straight Lightweight TT wins and past riders like Dean Harrison, Ivan Lintin, Steve Mercer, Paul Jordan, and Rob Hodson. For 2026, Evans returns on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP that powered his prior results in RST Superbike TT, both RL360 Superstock TT races, and Milwaukee Senior TT. The program grows with a new Triumph Street Triple 765 RS for the two four-lap Monster Energy Supersport TT races, engines tuned by Peter Hickman’s PHR Performance.

Preparation Targets Peak Fitness and Top-10 Finishes

“After a strong first season together, I’m delighted to be continuing with Dafabet Racing and preparation is firmly underway with pre-season testing already taking place in Spain,” Evans said. “I’m really excited about [the Triumph] as it’s a bike I know well... I’m training with AStar, Dave Smyth Yoga and at Elite Gym to make sure I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.” Dafabet Racing co-owner Ben Constable added: “Retaining Mikey was at the top of our priority list... we want to be finishing consistently inside the top 10 at the TT. We firmly believe there’s more to come from him on the big bike.” Such expansions highlight the blend of rider adaptation, machine precision, and physical conditioning essential for progressing on a course where margins for error remain razor-thin.