Isle of Man resident Conor Cummins is ‘gutted’ at losing another Isle of Man TT to the Covid pandemic both as a rider and a businessman.

As well as being a Padgetts pilot, Cummins also has a thriving coffee business and says life is going to be difficult but hopefully the island will bounce back stronger.

“It’s a bit of a blow to have no TT in 2021; actually, that’s putting it mildly, it’s a massive blow but what can you do? At the end of the day, we need to batten down the hatches and plod on as best we can so we can come out of this in a stronger place,” Cummins told bikesportnews.com.

“There’s no getting away from the fact that the pandemic is a big issue and everyone’s health has to come first because, let’s face it, without your health, you’ve got bugger all. Sacrificing another year to protect everyone that little bit more is the most sensible thing to do.

“As a rider, I’m gutted but the Manx government have been phenomenal throughout this and we’re in as good a position as we can be over here right now. It must have been a really difficult decision though as the TT is a massive part of the island and a lot of businesses rely on it.

“We’re talking about a lot of people’s livelihoods and I feel for everyone concerned who will be affected by another cancellation.

“The TT is important to me, obviously from a rider’s perspective, but also from a business point of view. The Manx people have been amazing and incredibly supportive and people have been buying things online as while so this is just another hurdle we all have to get over.

“I have no doubts the TT will come back bigger and better in 2022 and, like I say, I think it’s right that we’re putting everyone’s health first.”