Classic TT Riders on Super Twins Future
Barry Furber and Shaun Anderson discuss their summer racing and the potential shift from Super Twins to Sportbike regulations at the Classic TT.
Road Racing News spoke with riders Barry Furber and Shaun Anderson ahead of Classic TT qualifying and races. Both are established Mountain Course competitors, with Furber the TT Privateers Champion and Anderson a runner-up in the Historic Senior and Inaugural Junior 600 contests last year.
Their summer schedules differed. "It's been hectic we've been everywhere," said Furber. Anderson described a quieter season. "This will be third race of the summer so little bit quieter for me," he stated. Both are now focused on the Isle of Man, though weather is a concern. "We've used up all our sun credits over the summer unfortunately!" Anderson joked.
Post-TT Plans and Projects
Both riders have busy schedules following the Classic TT. Anderson is linked with a ride at the Scarborough event, marking the circuit's 80th anniversary. He last raced there in 2023. Whether he will use his updated 750 Suzuki remains undecided. "Am not 100 percent sure if we are going to be able to make that or not," he said, citing a tight turnaround.
Furber confirmed he will also race at the Gold Cup in Scarborough, despite a hectic travel schedule. He praised the Mid Antrim 150, where he had "good fun" in the Super Twins race, though noted poor weather and that the event was "shame it wasn't better supported."
Anderson discussed recent success and a development project. He won the Super Twins race at Tandragee and podiumed on a 600. He attributed his Super Twins win partly to tyre choice in mixed conditions. He and Furber have been testing an Aprilia RSV4 for team owner Trevor Scott, offering development direction. "We are trying to steer him, give him a wee bit of a direction," Anderson explained, noting Scott's previous riders had "less experience on big bikes in road racing." Anderson confirmed he already has a deal for next year and will not race the Aprilia at the TT.
The Super Twins vs. Sportbike Debate
The riders gave contrasting views on the future of the Super Twins class, which may be replaced by a Sportbike formula. Furber, from a builder's perspective, prefers Super Twins. "I'm not interested in building a Sportbike," he stated, arguing Sportbikes are all similar and costly.
Anderson offered a technical viewpoint. He called Super Twins "the last open class were you can really experiment," contrasting it with more regulated big bike and Supersport categories. He understands the appeal for organizers to have uniform Sportbike rules for national and world championships. "I think we're all sort of passing the time just waiting to see what decision will go," he said, suggesting Sportbikes are likely the future but that Super Twins could have a few more years.
Classic TT Expectations
For the immediate Classic TT, both riders are keeping expectations open. Furber has no set goals yet, wanting to see how the first night goes. He would be happy with a top-ten finish in the Classic Superbike race but notes "a lot of stiff competition." Anderson's primary aim is to finish the races after a tough 2025 season. He believes his Beugger Paton will be competitive if it runs well. His Suzuki SRAD project is new, and he hopes for kind weather to get mileage and a better feeling for the bike.
Words by Stevie Rial. For more event details, check the fixtures page, and for rider career information, you can view the stats section.
