It’s time to press ahead with optimism, despite a U-turn over plans to shut roads earlier to accommodate practicing for the first green emissions TT, according to the TT press officer.

However, on Sunday Opinion, Simon Crellin also suggested further options should be explored, to enable riders other than TT regulars to take part in the TTXGP.

The decision to cancel the extra sessions was announced on Friday evening, after seven hours of talks involved key figures in the organisation of the event, including Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle.

Marshals, medics and the public had argued bringing four afternoon sessions forward by an hour would cause major problems, with manning the course and for people try to get home at the end of the working day.

Under the current plans, several riders who had registered to take part in the TXGP will have to abandon their plans.

Mr Crellin said it was a balancing act, and everything possible should be done to make the event a success:

"Either you knock out those riders, or somehow you have to look at the structure you have and change it to ensure people outside of 'core' TT riders have qualified to take part.

"It seems a tough thing to say to people who've worked on machines and developed this technology for ages, but have almost been caught at the final hurdle, that they can't get a qualified rider to participate.

"I'm sure everybody would look at that and say 'we have to try and help these guys', they are expecting a certain level of commitment, approach and seriousness, which is why they've come to try and run the event on the Isle of Man in the first place.

"And I think it's up to us to do the necessary due diligence, to make sure we've covered all of the possible options."