Conor Cummins announces new Isle of Man TT ride as one veteran sits out

Manx hero Conor Cummins will join Bathams Racing for the Superbike races at the 2026 Isle of Man TT, as team manager Michael Rutter confirms he will not compete.

Rutter suffered multiple injuries in a crash during last year’s TT, when he crashed during the Supertwin race.

While his recovery is going well, he has elected to sit out TT 2026, with Conor Cummins representing Bathams Racing’s only entry this year.

The team has announced that TT stalwart Cummins will ride BMW machinery in the Superbike and Senior races.

It is the same M1000RR that Storm Stacey used in the British Superbike Championship last year.

Cummins will also compete in the Superstock class for his own Conrod Motorsport outfit, while campaigning a Suzuki in the Supersport races.

“Getting to ride the Bathams AJN BMW in the superbike and Senior TT races has been a great addition to my 2026 TT plan,” Cummins said.

“The team has got a lot of experience at the TT and with the BMW, so when the opportunity came up, it was an easy decision.

“The bike is the one which Storm Stacey used in BSB last year, so it’ll be really interesting to see what it’s like.

“In the meantime, it’s full steam ahead getting everything sorted at my end ready for what’s going to be a busy TT for me. I can’t wait!”

Cummins enjoyed a best of fifth in the Superstock class last year and is a 133mph lap holder.

TT 2026 set to be “strange” for Michael Rutter

Rutter had already scaled back his racing commitments at the TT last year, campaigning only the Supertwin class prior to his injury.

But he admits coming to the TT in 2026 and not racing at all will be “strange”.

“I must admit, going to the TT with the team this year and not riding is going to be very strange, but while my recovery is going really well, it is taking a long time to get back that last bit of fitness, so I’ve got to be sensible and give my body more time,” Rutter said.

“However, getting Conor on our bike instead is a really, really great opportunity for the team and all our sponsors.

“Conor is a class act, and we’re bringing him Storms BSB bike from last season, which we know is a real weapon.

“I must also say a big thank you to BMW for their help and support with getting Conor into the black and gold of the Bathams AJN race team.

“It is a real highlight for us, and we’re all really revved up about it.”