Jamie Cringle has taken the unusual decision to enter the TT in his Mountain Course debut, rather than plumping for the Manx Grand Prix.

The vast majority of locals have gone down the latter route in recent times, with the obvious exceptions of Conor Cummins in 2006 and Gav Hunt in 2013.

’I did enquire about doing the Manx Grand Prix this year, but they said I did not have enough experience on public roads,’ said the 22-year-old who only took up racing in 2017 having been a motocross rider since he was five.

’I had a chat with TT riders’ liaison officer Johnny Barton, who has helped me a lot. Competing at the TT is something I’ve always wanted to do and with the racing I’ve done already, I now feel that the time is right to make my debut.

’I like the idea of being out on the course on my own and doing my own thing, rather than being close to other riders in a mass start road race such as the Southern 100, so I’m looking forward to getting out on track and building up my experience.

’Being local, I know the course well and I’m always on it somewhere through my work but, at the same time, I’m well aware it will be totally different once I’m out on the bike on closed roads,’ he added.

Cringle will contest the two four-lap Monster Energy Supersport races on the KPC Construction & Groundworks Honda CBR600RR, and will also compete in the Bennetts Lightweight race.

In his three seasons of club racing at Jurby he has not finished outside the top three in either the Isle of Man Solo ACU Centre or Andreas Racing Association 600cc Club Championship, winning the latter in 2018 and finishing second in both last year to his elder brother Ryan.

Jamie also enjoyed a strong 2019 season in the UK, contesting the No Limits 600cc Pirelli Super Series on his 675cc Triumph, running in the top five for most of the year.

He was lying third overall in the championship until he was forced to miss the last round after picking up an injury while training on his motocross bike. Nevertheless, he still finished sixth overall with 10 podiums at Cadwell Park, Ty Croes (Anglesey), Donington Park and Snetterton. The second half of the season, in particular, saw him in great form with a run of eight podiums in 10 races.

’Whilst I’ve been riding a 1000cc Suzuki up at Jurby, I feel the Supersport and Lightweight classes are the best ones to make my debut on.

’I’m still young so there’s no rush to get on the big bike. I’m simply looking to make the most of the track time available and constantly improve over the course of the fortnight.

’I’m working hard in terms of my preparation and have done a number of laps with Nathan Harrison as well as watching as many on-board laps as I can. I’ve also been speaking to Jason Griffiths quite a bit to get some valuable pointers and with more laps up and coming with TT riders’ liaison officers Johnny Barton and Milky Quayle, I want to make sure I’m as ready as possible for when qualifying gets underway.’