Organisers for the Isle of Man TT have laid out its framework for the coming years in the pursuit of improving safety for riders and teams, both in terms of preparation and in the wake of incidents taking place.

The TT has grown to become of the world’s premier sporting events albeit on a reputation forged through the inherent risks involved from the high-speeds involved and the issues that occur in the wake of a rider experiencing an issue.

While the ever-present problem is woven into the TT’s DNA and reputation, the event was stung hard by the deaths of six competitors during the 2023 edition - the most on a single event since 1970.

As such, the TT is continuing to evolve with the times to improve safety at the TT, be it through investing in new infrastructures, processes and technology.

With the 2024 TT due to get underway in four months time, organisers have announced new measures which is plans to roll out over the next couple of years, including: 

• In addition to each competitor requiring a personal medical evaluation to be given to the ACU before each TT, from 2025 each competitor will also be subject to a thorough on-event medical assessment by the TT Medical Officers prior to first qualifying, whilst MRMS will also provide competitors with pre-event guidance to aid their physical and mental preparation.

• The project will commence in TT 2024 with a number of volunteer competitors from across the entry list undergoing a range of physiological, mechanical and biochemical assessments

• Data will be monitored for a range of factors such as lactate levels, blood glucose, heart rate, and grip strength, with assessments taking place before and after qualifying and race sessions to ultimately help understand the physicality of racing on the TT course and inform medical standards in the future.

• An improved physiotherapy service positioned alongside the event medical facility, forming a new Rider Welfare Centre for 2024 which will be operated by MRMS.

“Sports science is an area of medicine that’s evolved at an incredible rate,” said Dr Gareth Davies, Chief Medical Officer at the TT.. 

“The level of insight that can be attained is now invaluable for many sports across all ranges, from top-level international athletes to individuals training at the gym. But it’s an area where motorcycle racing in general is arguably behind the curve, and the TT is no exception.”

“Ultimately this is a project to further the work aimed at removing avoidable risks at the TT. In all aspects of health, prevention is far better than cure and it is no different here. 

“We are taking a proactive and systematic approach to the TT’s medical standards. The physiological, mechanical and biochemical data we collect this year will help inform our strategy to ensure competitors are physically and mentally fit to take on the TT Course and we reduce avoidable risk wherever possible.”

“The TT is unique in almost every aspect and it’s only right that we work to help prepare competitors for that unique challenge.”