TT practice again plagued by rain

Any hopes of a sustained practice session evaporated once again as heavy rain lashed the circuit yesterday evening, and the pre-race promise of the first 126mph lap looks in jeopardy as the practice time available dwindles.

Dwight Mitchell, the man who’s brought MV back to the Island this year, threw his Agusta F4 down the road at Quarter Bridge on his opening lap. The American didn’t blame the conditions though, he said; " Cold tyres and the front just went away as I got on the gas. But luckily I have the spare parts to replace the broken levers. I hope to be able to be out again tomorrow afternoon. "

Adrian Archibald, who’s gone so well earlier in the week, suffered mechanical problems with his pair of 2002 Red Bull Fireblades. The exhaust worked loose on his first bike, the second had a flat battery.