Roads Rider of the Year: 2nd - Dean Harrison

After another epic season of racing, MCN’s sports team of Michael Guy (Sports Editor), Simon Patterson (MotoGP Reporter) and Oli Rushby (Superbike Reporter) sat down to discuss who impressed them the most in each race series we cover to establish MCN’s top five riders in each category.

And with this year’s record-breaking road racing season, it wasn’t an easy call to decide who deserved what spot in our top five riders of the year in the class. Here’s what we think – but feel free to disagree with us in the comments!

Roads Rider of the Year: 2nd – Dean Harrison 

Over the last few years, Bradford’s Dean Harrison has been establishing himself as a regular road racing front runner and in 2019, the 29-year-old earned his stripes as one of the fastest in the world after an incredible season.

A brace of podiums at the North West 200 led Harrison into his most successful visit to the Isle of Man TT, where he was shattering lap records from the early stages of practice.

The Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s rider sheer speed through the opening sector of the 37.73-mile mountain course from a standing start left his opposition with no choice but to up their game.

Following the 2018 TT, Harrison holds the record for the start to Glen Helen and Glen Helen to Ballaugh, and his ideal lap from the whole fornight was in excess of 136mph.

Despite the speed, the punishing nature of the TT denied Harrison more than one victory as he was forced to retire with a clutch problem from a healthy lead in the Superbike race. He would however take victory in the second Supersport race before narrowly missing out to Peter Hickman in that epic Senior TT.

It wasn’t just the TT where Harrison triumphed, though, with further wins at the Southern 100 and Ulster Grand Prix, as well as clinching the Superbike victory at the 2018 Classic TT.

Find a used bike for sale with MCN.