Peter Hickman, the fastest man ever to lap the Isle of Man TT course, has been discharged from hospital following a high-speed crash during qualifying for this year’s event.
++ King’s speech on Canadian sovereignty draws scrutiny from indigenous leaders amid colonial legacy
The 14-time TT winner came off his bike just ten minutes into Friday evening’s session, suffering a dramatic accident at Kerrowmoar while travelling at approximately 140mph. He had set off second on the road behind pace-setter Dean Harrison.
Hickman, who was widely tipped to contend for victories across multiple races this week, will now miss the remainder of the event after sustaining injuries to his chest, back, shoulder, and face.
In his first public statement since the incident, the 38-year-old wrote:
“Well, this isn’t quite how I’d planned my TT to go. Had a bit of a get off Friday night… nothing quite like a 140mph slap against the Manx countryside. Battered and bruised, but we’ll be back.” He also expressed gratitude to the TT marshals, emergency crews, and medical staff who provided immediate assistance. Hickman was airlifted to Noble’s Hospital, where he remained for two nights and was later described as being “comfortable” and “in good spirits”.
The third qualifying session of the day was red-flagged at 6.40pm, shortly after it had commenced. A statement issued by organisers about an hour later confirmed that Hickman, riding for 8Ten Racing, was “conscious and stable” and had been taken to hospital for further evaluation.
In a separate incident earlier that same day, rider Tom Weeden (bike number 33) crashed at Glen Helen during the second qualifying session. He was also transported to Noble’s Hospital and is currently receiving treatment for back, leg, and ankle injuries. Hickman previously had a near-miss at last year’s Senior TT when he came off his BMW at Ginger Hall while on lap-record pace. This year’s crash occurred in the same section of the course, just after Ginger Hall at Kerrowmoar.
Despite the recent founding of 8Ten Racing following the closure of FHO Racing earlier this year, Hickman and team-mate Davey Todd were expected to be frontrunners in this year’s TT. Todd posted the fastest lap time during Friday’s earlier session aboard his BMW M1000RR, though it remains uncertain whether he will compete in the Superbike race on that machine or opt for his more reliable Superstock entry.
++ Muscles once thought pointless found to have purpose
Friday evening’s remaining sessions were called off due to deteriorating weather conditions. Rainfall across the island led to the cancellation of further activity, with clerk of the course Gary Thompson announcing an adjusted weekend schedule.
As a result, Saturday’s opening Supersport and Sidecar races were postponed to allow more practice time, with Sunday’s events also rescheduled. At present, Dean Harrison retains the fastest lap of TT 2025, clocking a speed of 133.096mph during Wednesday’s timed session—an achievement that remains unbeaten.
