Rob Hodson will continue with SMT Racing for the 2026 TT, with a switch to Ducati machinery in the Supersport class.
The 38-year-old Wigan rider and Robin Croft’s SMT Racing squad have extended their deal, retaining Honda Fireblade machinery for the Superbike TT, both Superstock TT races, and the Senior TT.
Hodson will again campaign a Paton in the two Carole Nash Sportbike TT races.
However, the headline change comes in the Supersport TT, where the team switches from Yamaha YZF-R6 to the Ducati V2 Panigale after several seasons.
The move follows encouraging performances from the Italian machine in recent editions, including in the hands of Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd.
Hodson arrives on the Ducati off the back of his strongest Supersport result to date – sixth place in the opening race last year.
Rob Hodson said: “I am really excited and thankful to Robin Croft of SMT Racing to be on board the Ducati V2 Panigale for this year’s Isle of Man TT.
“We’ve been on the SMT/Vehicle Recovery Services R6 for the last three years and have had some good success on it, but with the next generation Supersport class changes, now is the time for a new challenge and as a team we decided to go the Ducati route.
“Huge thanks go to our sponsors and team members working hard on the spanners. I can’t wait now to head down Bray Hill now”
Making his 50th TT start in 2026, Hodson has already secured a maiden podium, second in the opening Supertwin race in 2025.