All of the leading teams and riders will be heading to the Isle of Man to launch the 2009 TT Races. The free entry event, scheduled for Monday 20th April, will be held at the Villa Marina on Douglas Promenade and will give fans an early insight into the road racing season.

The line up will be lead by the factory supported HM Plant Honda team of John McGuinness and Steve Plater, who will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Honda racing’s TT debut. Many of Honda’s iconic figures from the company’s development and history are expected to attend the races this year to celebrate the anniversary.

This year’s launch event will see last year’s double champion Cameron Donald coming back to the Island for the first time since those heady days last summer when he stunned the pre-race favourites to take the Superbike and Superstock titles. His antipodean team-mate Bruce Anstey will also be sharing his early season thoughts.

Fans favourite Guy Martin will be entertaining fans with his own brand of unique humour and outlining the preparation that he, and his many supporters, hope will result in a debut TT victory this year. The chat show line up will also include Gary Johnson, Ian Hutchinson, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Chris Palmer, James Hillier and Ian Lougher, who will be competing in his 100th TT race when he starts the Superbike race on 31st May. All of them will be hoping to feature on the podium this year and for race victories.

The sidecars will also be well represented with defending champion and lap record holder Nick Crowe sharing his thoughts on defending his crown and 13 time champion Dave Molyneux giving an early insight into how he plans to take it. Ex champion Tim Reeves, who achieved a podium in his debut season, will also be on hand to talk about how he is looking to improve on a stunning first year. The evening’s sidecar representatives will be completed by The Birchall Brothers, Ben and Tom, will be revealing their early experiences of the circuit ahead of their debut season.

Fans will also get a chance to hear the thoughts of the new TV commentary team lined up to present the ITV and ITV4 coverage. Anchored by respected sports presenter Craig Doyle, the TV commentary team also includes racing legends Steve Parrish and Jamie Whitham, who will be providing expert analysis at the TT this year.