Franco Bourne to make TT and Southern 100 debuts this year

Twenty-two-year-old joining Team ILR for Island events

A former British Superbike Championship (BSB) competitor for Honda will make his debuts at both the Isle of Man TT Races and Southern 100 Road Races this year.

Representing Team ILR, he'll contest the Superstock and Sportbike races at the TT after gaining entry to the Snaefell Mountain Course meeting via a new initiative known as the 'Pilot Lap.'

He'll be part of the same squad when he later heads to the Billown Course for the Southern 100 from 6-9 July.

For the TT, the 'Pilot Lap' - through which the 22-year-old earned his entry - is a new project which allowed Bourne and others to experience the TT course on closed roads in a 'controlled, non-competitive environment.'

On his impending maiden appearance, Bourne says: "The Pilot Lap in 2025 was really good in helping me understand more about what the TT demands. 

"That experience made the decision clear, and now it’s about coming back to the Island well prepared. 

"I am already looking forward to TT 2026 under the mentorship of road racing legend Ian Lougher and everyone at Team ILR."

Away from road racing, Bourne has been building his experience elsewhere in recent years including competing in the British Talent Cup in 2018 then later the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship.

In 2023, he made a mid-season switch to the official Honda Racing UK team to replace the injured Andrew Irwin in the British Superbike Championship - after that he continued in the BSB arena with Rapid Honda in 2024 and later on in that year began his transition into road racing with appearances at Oliver's Mount and the Irish national road races.

Representing Team ILR will see the rider working under the guidance of 12-time TT winner, Ian Lougher who says he's 'delighted' to be supporting Bourne's move into 'pure road racing.'

Lougher adds: "He’s a rider with real potential and the right attitude, and our aim is to give him the guidance and environment to develop further. 

"The experience he’s gained so far and the steps he’s taking to learn the Mountain Course align with how we nurture and encourage up‑and‑coming talent. 

"We’re looking forward to a busy and rewarding 2026 together.” 

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