Startline Ep 56 - The Manx Grand Prix 2026 preview: John McBride and Ned Bowers

Start Line with Beth Espey

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Thursday, 13 August 2026 - 26 minutes

The waiting is almost over.

The paddock is beginning to fill, the tents are going up and, after a year of planning, the 2026 Manx Grand Prix is suddenly very real.

In this episode of Startline, we’re at the TT Grandstand with Manx Motor Cycle Club Chairman John McBride and Secretary and Treasurer Ned Bowers for a final look ahead before the action gets under way.

We talk about an exciting international crop of newcomers, the riders who could be challenging at the front, the huge commitment - and financial sacrifice - it takes simply to make it to the start line, and the one remaining place in the prestigious Tommy Club.

John and Ned also take us behind the scenes of an event powered by volunteers, talk about the vital need for marshals and reflect on what makes the MGP so special: more than a century of history, tradition and stories and a new generation of riders hoping to write their own.

For the organisers, twelve months of preparation are almost over.

Now comes what Ned describes perfectly as “a year in a week.”

MGP 2026 is almost here.

The Startline podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Manx Motorcycle Club, the Promoter and Rights holder for the Manx Grand Prix.  

Startline is on Facebook and Instagram, so please give the pages a follow and keep up to date with the latest episodes and see some extra content, you can find some great photos on there. 

And if you'd like to be part of the podcast, you can email beth@startline.im 

 

 

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