TT 2026: Manx duo to lead Flitwick Motorcycles Sportbike charge

Joe Yeardsley and Michael Evans to ride team's Yamaha machinery

An Isle of Man pairing will spearhead the Flitwick Motorcycles campaign in the Sportbike class at this year's Isle of Man TT Races.

The Bedforshire-based team has confirmed Joey Yeardsley and Michael Evans will contest the class on board their Yamaha R7 machinery on the Snaefell Mountain Course.

Evans is a late replacement for Adam McLean who will miss this year's racing fortnight after undergoing surgery.

Meanwhile, Yeardsley will be building on previous experience with the squad having ridden for them at last year's Classic TT.

On this latest chapter with the team, Yeardsley says: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to ride the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV R7 in the 2026 TT. 

I believe this is a massive step forward from what I have ridden previously, after a tough three years in this class, with only two race finishes out of five starts on the Mountain Course."

The Island rider made his mountain course debut in 2023 at the Manx Grand Prix, going on to win the Senior MGP race, before heading to the TT the following year.

Meanwhile, Evans adds: "I’m really happy to be riding the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV R7.  

"I can’t thank the team enough for the opportunity and I’m excited to see what we can do together."

Santon man, Evans is a TT regular having missed only one event since his maiden year in 2018 and has recorded six top-ten finishes across all classes to date, including finishing tenth and ninth in the Supersport TT Race 2 and Superbike TT respectively in 2025.

The 2026 Isle of Man TT Races are scheduled to take place from Monday, 25 May to Saturday, 6 June.