2025 Road Racing Season: Current Line-ups and Unconfirmed Plans

The winter period marks a quiet time for motorcycle road racing enthusiasts. With no track activity, fans often review the previous season and anticipate the upcoming year’s developments. While several teams have announced their rider and manufacturer rosters for 2025, others have not yet disclosed their plans, leaving some riders uncertain about securing positions with prominent teams for events such as the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT. BBC Sport NI examines the confirmed agreements, rider transfers, and remaining unresolved aspects for the coming weeks. Peter Hickman and Davey Todd achieved significant success for German manufacturer BMW in 2024, collectively securing multiple victories at international road races. Hickman increased his total TT wins to 14 after triumphing in the Superbike event for FHO Racing. Todd, competing for Milwaukee by TAS Racing, claimed victories in the Senior and Superstock races, following his treble win on BMW and Ducati bikes at the NW200 just weeks prior. In 2025, these English riders will join forces as teammates under the FHO banner for the Superbike and Superstock categories at the TT and North West 200, aiming for additional victories. Faye Ho’s team did not participate in the North West paddock last year, having withdrawn from the event the year before, though Hickman competed under his PHR Racing identity. The confirmation of their return to the Triangle circuit for the upcoming event is seen as a significant positive development for both organizers and supporters. John McGuinness is set to extend his enduring partnership with Honda Racing, participating in the two primary international events within the big bike categories. The rider from Morecambe achieved his first NW200 podium since 2012 by securing third place in a Superstock race in May. Dean Harrison, a three-time TT winner, will compete alongside McGuinness under the Honda awning for a second year, intending to further develop the advancements made during his initial season with the Japanese manufacturer. Additionally, Dominic Herbertson will join James Hillier as a partner under the WTF (We’re The Future) Racing Honda team. Manx rider Conor Cummins has committed to race for the Northern Ireland-based Burrows Engineering/RK Racing team on a BMW Superbike, filling the position previously held by Herbertson. Australian David Johnson is confirmed to continue as the official Kawasaki rider, utilizing equipment prepared by Lee Hardy Racing. Lee Johnston has experienced significant injury challenges in recent seasons. Johnston resumed racing in the latter part of the 2024 season, having recovered adequately from multiple serious injuries over recent years. However, the Fermanagh native disclosed in September that Ashcourt Racing, where he served as both rider and manager, had chosen to withdraw from the sport. Speculation surrounds the 35-year-old’s future team for the major races next year, following the conclusion of his long-standing collaboration with Phil Reed’s team. Michael Dunlop’s future plans consistently generate considerable speculation, and the current year is no exception. Questions remain whether the Ballymoney rider will remain with Hawk Racing, competing on Honda, Yamaha, and Paton motorcycles, or if he will pursue a different opportunity. Glenn Irwin, an eleven-time NW200 Superbike winner, will be conspicuously absent from the May meeting’s grid, having declared his retirement from road racing in October. Nevertheless, there is hope that Alastair Seeley, a record 29-time winner, will participate in the north coast speed event next May, after missing the previous edition due to an inability to secure appropriate competitive equipment. The specific motorcycles he will ride remain to be announced. The intentions of other prominent Northern Irish riders, including Paul Jordan, Adam McLean, and Shaun Anderson, have not yet been confirmed. Josh Brookes has not yet confirmed his participation in the 2025 road racing season, contrasting with Glenn Irwin’s announcement of retirement from this discipline. Although Nathan Harrison was not included in the official Honda Racing roster revealed in November, the Manx rider has stated his intention to compete at the TT and North West, anticipating ongoing support from the same manufacturer in some capacity. Josh Brookes, a two-time BSB champion, secured second place in the Senior TT and achieved a lap speed exceeding 134mph this year. However, his involvement in road racing for the upcoming season is still unconfirmed, following his move from FHO Racing to DAO Racing Honda for the 2025 British Superbike series. Jonny Bagnall, DAO Racing team manager, conveyed on his team’s YouTube channel his plan to prioritize BSB next year and “not have any distractions of road racing for 2025 at least”. It remains to be seen whether Brookes will compete in one or both of the major international events. Ian Hutchinson, a sixteen-time TT winner, competed for Milenco by Padgett’s in the previous season, but neither he nor the team has disclosed their plans for 2025. TAS Racing, managed by Hector and Philip Neill, has transitioned from BMW to Ducati for their upcoming British Superbike and Supersport campaigns, but they have not yet formally stated if they will participate in road racing in 2025. Other riders who have not publicly announced their 2025 road racing schedules include Republic of Ireland rider Mike Browne, KTS Racing regular Jamie Coward, Rob Hodson, Bathams Racing’s 2024 duo Michael Rutter and Craig Neve, and North West consistent frontrunners Richard Cooper and Jeremy McWilliams.