By Steve Parrish BBC motorbikes commentator

The Isle of Man TT is still possibly the biggest single challenge in motorcycling.

I have never had a more satisfying motorcycling experience than a good fast lap around the TT circuit Steve Parrish on the Isle of Man TT

Anyone who has raced there, survived it and had some good results has got to be happy.

MotoGP, World Superbikes and British Superbikes are the pinnacle and the real showpiece championships and only incredibly talented riders can win them but the TT is the equivalent of sailing the Atlantic single-handed or climbing Mount Everest.

It's still a unique, monstrous challenge that people want to take on and having had a second and a third place there during my career, I know that anything you achieve there stays with you for a long time.

It will never be a mainstream event because when you are a top contender in one of the main short circuit series you are focused on that and unlikely to race at the TT.

Indeed, I interviewed James Toseland only last week and he told me that his mother had told him he could go motorcycle racing as long as he didn't do the TT.

There is still that high element of danger with no safety net and no run-off areas.

It is nice to see some of the short circuit guys having a go against the real roads specialists and as long as they respect the circuit and treat it properly, I 'm sure they'll have a lot of fun.

There have been an awful lot of changes at the TT in recent years and, having celebrated its centenary last year, I personally hope that the TT continues for another 100 years.

Bruce Anstey has dominated the Superstock class

The event is now a lot more high profile but I expect there may be a bit of a backlash from fans this year due to the fact that there are a lot more prohibited areas around the course.

I'm sure there will be a lot of complaints but I fully understand where the organisers, the Auto Cycle Union, are coming from.

After the three deaths last year, including two spectators, they have to look to spectator safety as a priority, but hopefully a suitable compromise can maybe be reached in future years.

I think a lot of the world's top circuit stars see the TT racers as being a little bit mad but I think a lot more riders should come over, have a look and see what it's all about even if they don't want to race.

Of course there is an element of craziness and madness about the TT but it is the same in life and those who are willing to take the risks should be allowed to do so.

I can honestly say that I have never had a more satisfying motorcycling experience than having a good fast lap around the TT Mountain Circuit.

In addition, the island really comes alive with the population nearly doubling, the businesses doing extremely well and just a whole party atmosphere.

This year, Guy Martin is starting at number one and I think he is very much up for a win.

I believe he will give John McGuinness a real run for his money but John is essentially on a factory Honda bike and is still a really fast, talented rider around this course.

Cameron Donald will be very much in the running too but I would my money firmly on Bruce Anstey in the Superstock race as he just loves that class.

Steve Parrish was talking to BBC Sport NI's Richard Petrie

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