Dream comes true for Walsh with first Classic TT Finish

Dream comes true for Walsh with first Classic TT Finish

Ardfert’s Stephen Walsh has finally recorded his first finish on the famous Isle of Man Mountain Course, describing it as a dream come true.

This year marked his third attempt at the Classic TT section of the Manx Grand Prix.

 In 2023, he wasn’t even allowed to start after an overnight engine rebuild left his bike too smoky to pass scrutiny. Last year, a minor, non-injury crash ended his chances.

Armed with two machines for 2025, a Honda 500 for the Historic Senior and a Honda 350 for the Historic Junior, Walsh was determined to finally see the chequered flag.

But his week was far from straightforward.

Poor weather forced organisers to revamp the race schedule, with Wednesday’s Senior race postponed and Friday becoming a double-header: two back-to-back two-lap races over the 37-mile course.

Walsh’s bad luck held when a clutch problem put him out of the Senior race at the Creg-ny-Baa section of the course.  

That left him stranded trackside, around 10km from the TT Grandstand and unsure if he could even make it back in time to start the Junior race.

Two friends spectating at the Creg provided the solution, driving him back in time.

His team already had the 350 warmed up, and Walsh made the start of the Junior with little time to spare.

This time, his only goal was to finish and he did just that, coming home 30th.

Seeing the chequered flag at last meant everything. “I am walking on air right now. This is a dream come true and up there with some of the biggest days of my life including my wedding day and exams,” Walsh said afterwards.

He paid tribute to his supporters, especially Assured Power Generators in Lixnaw and Tralee race mechanic Der Rahilly, who prepared the Honda 350 before he left for the island.

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