What is the first thing that comes to mind when associating a city circuit with speed, adrenaline and danger?

It can only be the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, no race on the world motorcycle scene can be compared to the TT. Since 1907, riders from all over the world have been competing on the Mountain Course circuit, it became a fixed stage of the World Championship, but given the dangerousness of the track it was removed from the calendar in 1976.

After the first years dominated by British drivers and manufacturers, the Tourist Trophy increased its fame and pilots from all over the world began to participate eager to compete with the English specialists; the Italian pilots, after the participation (under French license) of Giosuè Giuppone in 1909, made their first appearances in the 1920s with Achille Varzi who, in 1924, was the first to complete it. The first victory of an Italian rider was instead the work of Omobono Tenni who won riding a Moto Guzzi 250 in 1937.

In the years in which he was part of the world championship races, other Italian riders also won important victories: among them Carlo Ubbiali, Tarquinio Provini and Giacomo Agostini.

Since 1990, the race has been considered an event "in itself", no longer being part of any championship

But why has the Isle of Man TT become the most adrenaline-pumping event on the world two-wheel scene?

The pilots travel through inhabited centers, unraveling between walls, fences, light poles, sidewalks, manholes and jumps at insane speeds. To complicate matters further, the route includes mountainous, flat and coastal stretches characterized by an irregular road surface.

Last but not least, the weather conditions, which can vary during the track measuring 60 km, which makes the race even more unpredictable.

Currently the circuit record is held by Peter Hickman who, in 2018, stopped the clock at 16'42''778, with an average speed of 217.99 km / h aboard a BMW S 1000 RR.