I’ll hold my hands up: I’ve been critical of the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT meeting before.

Not because I don’t like fast bikes, I do, but because I’ve questioned the extra road closures and disruption another major race meeting brings to island life.

I’ve always enjoyed the event, but this year has converted me into a full-time MGP fan.

Perhaps it is because, unlike the TT, the Manx Grand Prix feels just that little bit quieter and less chaotic.

I’m not slating the TT by any means, it is a completely different beast and an incredible spectacle, but there is something about the MGP’s hardcore bike-loving crowd, its riders and its atmosphere that I’ve really fallen for.

And we shouldn’t forget what the MGP can be for the TT: a proving ground.

Names such as Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, Jamie Coward, Dominic Herbertson and Nathan Harrison have all come through the Manx before making their mark at the TT, gaining vital Mountain Course experience away from the enormous spotlight of June.

The two race meetings in August may be wrapped into one big Festival of Motorcycling fortnight, sharing the Mountain Course, paddock and infrastructure, but the racing itself is different.

And this year, the weather forced a major rejig, with the remaining programme brought forward and completed on Tuesday rather than Friday.

In the end, it gave us what felt like a proper festival, and boy, did we have one.

The Galashiels rider’s 35.823-second Senior victory completed his clean sweep, followed by that brilliant, bagpipe-filled celebration. His verdict? ‘That was very special, it will take something special to top that. Now time to celebrate with loads of pints!’

There were other stories too.

Manx youngster Illiam Quayle, son of island and racing legend Milky, made his MGP debut, adding another chapter to a famous local racing family.

But there was, of course, a heartbreaking side to the meeting.

Two riders lost their lives during qualifying, Swiss newcomer Mauro Poncini and 37-year-old Castletown rider Sam Naughton. There is no getting around how devastating that is.

Road racing at this level carries risks that riders and their families know all too well, but that never makes losing someone any easier.

Our thoughts are very much with their families and friends, and the floods of tributes show just how close knit this community is.

We don’t know the visitor figures yet, but it felt like the island welcomed plenty of people, gave them sunshine and showed off the Mountain Course at its finest.

And after seeing the footage of smiles, celebrations and exhausted racers at Monday night’s awards, it was hard not to feel that the organisers, riders, teams, marshals and everyone in between had enjoyed something pretty special.

Classic TT action may dominate headlines, but I’ll admit that the MGP has won me over.

Roll on 2027.