'I feel the same childhood excitement for the TT'

Cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish has said the Isle of Man's TT Races give him the same excitement he felt as child, after years away from the event.

The Tour de France record holder from Laxey came to watch the races last year, the first time since 2008.

He said it had previously been difficult to attend due to the festival's proximity to the Tour de France.

Now retired and back for this year's festival, the Manx Missile said he was "very fortunate" to now have the time to "do the things that I want to do".

Sir Mark said: "I still have that feeling when I was a kid, those goosebumps, you know? Just how real and raw it is."

He added the experience was "like nothing else".

Sir Mark said he was also struck by how much the races had evolved.

"Seeing the change since Paul Phillips and the team took over, just how far it's come, how modern it is compared to when I first came," he said.

After a few days into practice week, he said this year's atmosphere was "buzzing", especially with the filming of a feature film taking place.

"The whole island's buzzing about that," he said.

Production is underway at this year's TT for an Amazon MGM Studios movie starring Channing Tatum.

The Hollywood star has been spotted in various locations alongside actor Eve Hewson.

Sir Mark also pointed to the increasing pace of racing on the Mountain Course, after Honda Racing rider Dean Harrison set the fastest superbike lap on Wednesday, posting a speed of 133.712mph.

"It's just getting faster and faster," he said.

The TT is considered to be one of the world's most dangerous races.

Competitor Daniel Ingham died in a crash at Doran's Bend on Wednesday during a qualifying event.

The fatality followed a crash on Monday in which eight spectators and one rider were injured.

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