The legendary race returns and will be streamed live on TV

I first became hooked on the world famous Isle of Man TT back in 2007, the 100-year anniversary of the historic motorcycle road races. The blinding speed of those bikes and riders through the pristine island countryside, ripping through quaint ancient towns at ridiculous digits, and the sheer “balls to the wall” bravado of the pilots astride their machines captured my imagination. Until now, the races had to viewed live by making the trip to the small island nation between Great Britain and Ireland. I’ve yet to make that “pilgrimage”, but would certainly love to someday.

After a two-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the full two-week slate of races returns May 28-June 11 and will be broadcast live worldwide for the first time in the event’s long history. Due to be carried by the Isle of Man TT’s new OTT (over-the-top, meaning bypassing leading internet services and providers) streaming service in partnership with Vimeo video provider, the races will be carried on IOMTT’s own platform called TT+, which will be open and available by early April.

Apparently the TT+ platform will be a free service to use on mobile and desktop devices, with video highlights, interviews, backstories and other coverage outside of the live races available without a subscription. But to get the races live as they run, the price will be $16.99 USD for a week’s worth of race action, as we understand it. Compared to costs of MotoGP, Dakar or other world racing events, this is certainly reasonable, considering the more than 40 hours of racing action that will be available for live viewing.

This year’s TT races are noteworthy for several reasons. First, it’s good to see the races return after Covid shut them down for two years. Second, the future of the races had been in jeopardy after several violent deaths in recent years raised opposition calling for an end to the thrilling but dangerous road race. Third, legendary racer and 23-time IOMTT winner John McGuinness has discussed his retirement from road racing as he turns 50 this year, so this event could be the last time race fans can catch John racing the historic 37.73 mile “Mountain Course” he has dominated for decades. All this, and the fact that it will be the first-ever worldwide live broadcast of the IOMTT races, means the event will be well-worth tuning in and viewing.

We’ve learned that later this year, a documentary will be produced and telecast about the long and illustrious history of the Isle of Man TT races, and will be available on the TT+ platform among others.

If you’ve never viewed any of the racing from a IOMTT year, go do a search on your browser and check out highlights videos on YouTube. You’ll be blown away by the adrenaline-pumping racing, and quite possibly get hooked like several of us have. There’s simply nothing quite like it in the world of motorcycle racing. And this year, you can tune in live from anywhere in the world. It promises to be a thrilling two weeks of two-wheeled speed.

Rob

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Isle of Man TT