On a picture-perfect Isle of Man evening, Ryan and Callum Crowe made history by claiming their maiden Sidecar TT victory in the 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Race 1. The Manx brothers powered their Kelproperties Honda to a dominant win, crossing the line 26.894 seconds ahead of Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley, with Alan Founds and Rhys Gibbons securing third place. As the first Manx Sidecar winners since 2014, the Crowes emulated their father, Nick Crowe, a five-time winner.
Ideal Racing Conditions
With ideal racing conditions, the three-lap race began at 5:45 pm, and the Crowes swiftly took the lead through Glen Helen on the opening lap, already holding a 6.3-second advantage over Founds and Walmsley (FHO Racing Honda). Crawford and Hardie (ARC Newton Aycliffe/SJH Bodyworks Kawasaki) slotted into third, a further 4.4 seconds behind, followed by Blackstock and Rosney (Dave Holden Racing Yamaha), Founds and Gibbons (Founds Racing Yamaha), and Reeves and Wilkes (Bonovo Action/Carl Cox Motorsport Honda) rounding out the early top six. Molyneux and Roberts (Kelproperties Kawasaki) were forced to retire at Ballacraine.
The Crowes’ Dominant Performance
As the race unfolded, the Crowes’ lead continued to grow, catching Founds and Walmsley on the road and eventually overtaking them on the run to Quarry Bends. By Ballaugh, their lead had expanded to 9.4 seconds, with Founds and Gibbons moving into third place. The battle for third remained intense, with Blackstock and Rosney holding on to the final podium position, 2.2 seconds ahead of Founds and Gibbons, and Crawford and Hardie struggling to keep pace in fifth.
The Crowes’ opening lap of 118.525mph granted them a 12.2-second advantage over Founds and Walmsley, who held a substantial 30-second lead over the chasing pack of Blackstock and Rosney (114.495mph), Founds and Gibbons (114.30mph), Crawford and Hardie (114.257mph), and Reeves and Wilkes (114.190mph). Newcomers Ellis and Clement (Brookland Sand & Aggregates Yamaha) impressed with an opening lap of 113.006mph to claim seventh place.
A Historic Win
As the race progressed, the Crowes’ lead continued to grow, eventually reaching an almost 17-second gap at Glen Helen second time around. Founds and Gibbons managed to reclaim third place at Ballaugh, but the gap between the crews vying for the final podium spot remained minimal. Starting the third and final lap, the Crowes looked comfortable in the lead, a second lap of 119.800mph – a new personal best – further stretching their advantage to over half a minute.
With a trouble-free final lap, the Crowes successfully brought their outfit home for a famous win, more than half a minute clear of Founds and Walmsley. Founds and Gibbons claimed the final podium position, with passenger Gibbons becoming the first newcomer to achieve the feat since Walmsley eight years ago. Blackstock and Rosney held on for fourth, just half a second ahead of Crawford and Hardie, with Reeves and Wilkes, Ellis and Clement, Holden and Claeys, Saunders and Saunders, and Harrison and Moore completing the top ten.
Notable Achievements
Gibbons becoming the fastest sidecar newcomer ever,
Ellis claiming the same accolade for a driver, and
Clement becoming the fastest female passenger around the Mountain Course with her lap of 113.786mph, eclipsing the lap of 111.053mph by French compatriot Melanie Farnier set two years ago.
🔗 Source
