Crowe brothers dominate to take first TT win

Manx duo control opening sidecar race from start to finish

Manx sidecar competitors Ryan and Callum Crowe have secured their first ever TT win with victory in the opening sidecar race of 2024.

Dominating from start to finish and with a best lap of 119.8mph, the brothers finished 26.8 seconds clear of Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley in second.

In a gripping battle for the third throughout the three laps it was Alan Founds & Rhys Gibbons who went to take the final podium spot just nine seconds ahead of Lewis Blackstock and Patrick Rosney.

The Crowes become the first Manx winners at the TT since Island-born Dave Molyneux and his passenger Patrick Farrance, also in the sidecars, back in 2014.

Ryan and Callum Crowe's fast start saw them catching the no.2 outfit of Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley on the road as the first outfits arrived at Glen Helen on the opening lap.

Heading into Ballaugh and slightly further back an early battle was developing for the final podium spot in third between Lee Crawfrd & Scott Hardie; Lewis Blackstock & Patrick Rosney; Tim Reeves & Mark Wilkes; Alan Founds & Rhys Gibbons as well Todd Ellis & Emanuelle Clement.

In a thrilling battle to lead on the road, the Crowe brothers continued to joust with Founds & Walmsley in the north of the Island and onto the mountain as the Manx duo refused to give up their early time gained heading into lap two with a 12.2-second advantage along with an opening pace of 118.525mph.

Elsewhere, Blackstock & Rosney heading into lap two had started to take control of the battle for third, just over two seconds clear of Alan Founds & Rhys Gibbons in behind them.

As the Crowes stretched their lead at the front to just over 20 seconds, Alan Founds & Rhys Gibbons overhauled Blackstock & Rosney into third spot at Ballaugh whilst the pairings of Crawford & Hardie and Reeves & Wilkes behind continued to stay in touch with that battle.

Into the final lap and the Crowe brothers had not only extended their lead to just beyond 30 seconds but moved to within touching distance of the 120mph mark at 119.8mph on their first flying run.

Whilst Pete Founds & Walmsley remained a comfortable second, Alan Founds & Rhys Gibbons were opening the gap to just over six seconds in third to Blackstock & Rosney heading into the final 37.73 miles.

Seemingly having received the signal about their control out front, the Crowes began to let off the pace on the last lap and with a substantial advantage it saw them right round and through to the checquered flag to take a memorable maiden victory.