Wins, wheelies and big smiles | Peter Hickman talks 2022 Isle of Man TT targets

Peter Hickman is taking his status as hot favourite for the 2022 Isle of Man TT in his stride as he looks to pick up where he left off from a breakthrough performance in 2019. 

Having cut his teeth in short circuit racing initially - making his BSB debut way back in 2006 - Hickman made the transition to road racing in 2014 and has since gone to establish himself as arguably the world’s best with five TT wins and the Mountain Course lap record achieved across 2018 and 2019.

Following an enforced two-year hiatus as a result of COVID-19, Hickman has loftier aspirations for the 2022 festival with entries into six races across four classes and on three different machines.

Riding the Gas Monkey-backed BMW M 1000 RR prepared by his FHO Racing BSB team in the Senior TT/Superbike and Superstock categories, Hickman will also ride a Triumph Street Triple 765 in the Supersport class.

He is also planning to enter the Lightweight TT with the Norton Superlight he rode as a factory-endorsed competitor in 2019. 

Going on to purchase the machine himself to run under his own Peter Hickman Racing banner. while Hickman says he is confident of a strong result after spending £30,000 on upgrades himself, it is currently unclear whether organisers will allow him to enter the now discontinued model.

Should all six entries get the green light, it means Hickman has the chance to better Ian Hutchinson’s record of five victories in a single event. 

Even so, all eyes will be on Hickman in the blue riband Senior TT as he looks to avenge his defeat of three years ago when a technical issue allowed Dean Harrison to snatch victory.

“You can never really predict how it will go,” he told Visordown ahead of being named winner of the Torrens Trophy for 2019. 

“To win the TT everything has to align and everything has to work; the bike has to work, you have to feel good, be in the right frame of mind, the team has to be good, the tyres… it just has to be en pointe.

“I am quietly confident I am happy with what we’ve got, the team and bike is strong, we have an awesome sponsor in Gas Monkey - it is going to be a really cool TT, can’t wait.”

Chasing TT wins at the slowest possible speed...

The current holder of the TT lap record at 135.452mph, though Hickman believes there is a quicker lap to be achieved on the upgraded BMW M 1000 RR, he says victories - and having a good time - will always be his primary target over chasing a flyer.

“I go road racing to enjoy myself, pull wheelies, do big skids and come back safe and sound with ab big smile on my face

“I know where I can improve if I have to. The biggest thing with the lap record, it’s awesome, it’s mega, it’s great to have but it is icing on the cake but the cake is winning the TT. 

“If I can win the TT at an average 100mph lap, I will do that - I don’t need to be putting in the risk and pressure to try and do a lap record for the sake of it. 

“It’s a great accolade but it doesn’t mean anything and it will get beaten eventually. Lap records never stay.

“Once you have won a TT, no-one can take it away from you.”