Alan's post is one of the best thought-out, informed and articulate postings I have seen on this forum regarding the TT. He has perfectly summed up what so many of us see as being wrong with the TT this year, but most of us couldn't hope to summarise so well. The organisers simply HAVE to take on board what so many people are saying, otherwise they will lose what little goodwill is left from both locals and visitors. Up until fairly recently I was an absolute TT fanatic, never missing a single bike or chair in any practice session or race. This year I have been to watch the Saturday and Monday practice sessions, and been bored to tears within half an hour each time.

This is no criticism whatsoever of the riders themselves, who as always are the true heroes of the TT and show extraordinary skill and courage to do what they do. But nobody will convince me that this year's field is any better than it was in, say, the early 1990s. You can quote all the stats you like about how many riders have lapped at over 125mph, 120mph or whatever. I just don't think there is the same excitement or sense of expectation now - but maybe that's just because I'm now well on the wrong side of 40 and am looking back through rosy specs! I feel sorry for the younger generation of TT fans, who will never experience the true TT magic that so many of us used to revel in.

No doubt this and other posts in this thread will be dismissed in some quarters as just being negative whingeing, but it's what I honestly feel. I would far rather be coming on here and saying what a fantastic TT we're all having!