Coward to lead first generation of new twins at TT 2022

Jamie Coward will be the first man away from the Glencrutchery Road start line for the Bennetts Supertwin TT that sees new manufacturers 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. 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