Ian Hutchinson is set to join Burrows Engineering / RK Racing for his 2026 Supersport campaigns, competing at both the Northwest 200 and the Isle of Man TT on the team’s Ducati Panigale V2.
John Burrows said “We’re absolutely delighted to have Ian onboard our Ducati V2 in the Supersport class at both the Northwest 200 and the Isle of Man TT Races. Ian needs no introduction – he’s a 16-time TT winner, with many of those victories coming in the Supersport class.
“Over the last season or so, I’ve seen a real hunger in Ian again, almost a resurgence after what has been a few tough years for him. You can see the desire to succeed is still very much there, and that’s something that really excites and motivates us as a team.
“Ian spent a lot of time circulating with Conor Cummins on our Ducati V2 during the Supersport races at the TT last year, so I’d like to think he’s seen something he’s liked, or felt that the Ducati would suit his riding style.
“On a personal note, Ian and myself both started our Mountain Course careers back in 2003 at the Manx Grand Prix, so it’s great to see things come full circle and to be teaming up for 2026.”
It’ll be the Bingley rider’s first time racing on Ducati machinery at the Isle of Man TT, but he can take heart from the recent success of the Italian bikes—like Davey Todd’s achievements in 2024 and, most notably, Michael Dunlop’s two Supersport wins last year, which included a blistering 130mph+ lap in race one. The next generation of Supersport machines has quickly risen to the top of the class, and Hutchinson is looking to make the switch from Yamaha to Ducati in 2026 to climb even higher in a category where he’s already had plenty of success.
Hutchinson made a welcome return to the Mountain Course last year after a year away, scoring a best result of fifth in the opening Superstock race and adding two more top-ten finishes in the Supersport events. He’s got an impressive record in the middleweight class, with eight wins between 2007 and 2016, second only to Michael Dunlop’s 15. His first TT victory came in 2007 on the HM Plant Honda, followed by three more Supersport wins for Padgetts’ Honda in 2009 and 2010. He later pulled off back-to-back Supersport doubles in 2015 and 2016 with the Team Traction Control Yamaha.
The Supersport class is still one of the most hotly contested at the TT, but Hutchinson is among just seven riders to have clocked laps over 128mph in the category. He’s aiming to make a big splash with Burrows Engineering/RK Racing at both major road race events in 2026.
Hutchinson added “I’ve known John for 22 years, since we both competed in the Manx Newcomers’ Race in 2003. I’ve always looked out for his results, and I’ve watched his team grow into one of the best-presented outfits in the paddock, alongside the business he’s grown. I really admire his dedication — not just to his own team, but to supporting his sons’ racing too — so to be welcomed into his team is a privilege. I can’t wait to race the Burrows Engineering Ducati.”
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