Virtual Isle of Man TT announced, Hickman leads rider line-up
A Virtual Isle of Man TT Esports event has been launched, with line-up of eight real-world riders headed by five-time TT winner Peter Hickman taking part.


The 2020 TT was due to begin this Sunday with the opening practice sessions, before the event was cancelled back in March due to uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
To fill the void left by the absence of a TT for the first time since 2001, organisers have announced the TT Lock-In event.
Running through what was due to be race week from 6-13 June, four Virtual TT races on the new TT Ride on the Edge game will take place.
Eight real-world riders will be paired with Esports specialists and split into teams, where they will go head-to-head across the week.
Full details and entrants are yet to be confirmed, though organisers have announced Hickman, Connor Cummins and Davey Todd so far.
As well as the Virtual TT, the TT Lock-In – hosted by online personality Chris Pritchard and TT winner Steve Plater – will feature rider interviews, highlights of past TT races and documentaries.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has played havoc with the 2020 road racing calendar, with all international races scrapped.
The North West 200 in Northern Ireland had been on indefinite delay, with some suggesting it could take the slot originally due for the Ulster Grand Prix in August.
But organisers ultimately had to cancel the event for 2020.
Organisers for the Classic TT on the Isle of Man had originally hoped the event would be able to go ahead, but those hopes were dashed earlier this month.
The Ulster GP’s future was uncertain prior to the coronavirus crisis, with the poorest turnout in the event’s history last year owing to bad weather tipping organisers into financial chaos.
Efforts to secure backing to ensure the running of the 2020 Ulster GP came to nothing, with uncertainty over the impact of coronavirus on the economy playing a part.

Courtney to make Tickford debut in Supercars Eseries
F1 stars Verstappen and Norris team up for virtual Le Mans bid

Latest news
Reborn TGM Super Formula team announces two-car 2023 entry
The former Team Goh outfit has been relaunched as 'TGM Grand Prix' ahead of the 2023 Super Formula season.
Ellis to replace injured Auer for Bathurst 12 Hour
Philip Ellis will make his Bathurst 12 Hour debut this week as a stand-in for the injured Lucas Auer.
Despite heroic comeback, Corvette missing speed at Daytona
Corvette Racing came from two laps down to finish second in class at the Rolex 24 Hours but lost out in the final shootout to a quicker Mercedes.
Winning MSR Acura "super lucky" with Rolex 24 gearbox scare
The Meyer Shank Racing Acura team was "super lucky" that it was able to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona despite having a malfunctioning gearbox for most of the race, according to team founder and co-owner Michael Shank.
How an unlikely tie-up won sim racing's biggest prize
An unlikely partnership between World Endurance Championship LMP1 privateers Rebellion Racing and Williams Formula 1's highly-successful sim racing team yielded victory in the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Here's how it triumphed in the biggest sim race ever staged
How seriously should Esports be taken?
As interest in Esports has increased during the coronavirus lockdown, the lines have become blurred between what's real and what's virtual - especially when some high-profile participants seem to be playing for laughs, says Luke Smith
Why Abt's deception left Audi with no choice
Daniel Abt's suspension by the Audi Formula E team - and possible loss of his drive - for fielding a ringer in an Esports event could be considered an overreaction. But in a wider context, his employers had little other alternative
How Leclerc is embracing his new mission
The emergence of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc as a Twitch streaming star has been one of the pleasant surprises of lockdown so far. He says it is giving fans a greater insight into his nature, but that's not his primary purpose
Leclerc's Virtual GP annihilation deserves great credit
The introduction of Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi to Formula 1's Virtual GP last weekend meant it was a step above the franchise's debut two weeks ago. But a dominant performance from Esports newcomer Leclerc stole the show
How the hidden side of being fast has been exposed
The lack of real track action so far this year hasn't stop drivers from keeping their racing brains 'fresh', as former F1 star Stoffel Vandoorne suggested last weekend.
Why entertainment isn't Esports greatest virtue right now
MotoGP's virtual #StayAtHomeGP was a sad reminder of some of the storylines that could be unfolding had the real-life season not been delayed indefinitely by the coronavirus pandemic. While we can bemoan Esports as being a poor relation of the real thing, it has an even more important function to perform
F1’s pantomime Virtual GP is fun but unsustainable
F1 Esports' inaugural Virtual Grand Prix last weekend provided brilliant entertainment to those tuning in to watch a mix of F1 drivers and celebrities battle on track, but was a missed opportunity for marketing its own Esports stars. A change of approach is needed if it is to successfully fill the void until the resumption of proper racing
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.