Road racing is one of the most thrilling sports in the world.
It is like a religion to fans who travel in their thousands to the Isle of Man TT every year to watch riders compete at speeds that sometimes defy logic.
The high-octane action is like a drug to those men and women crouched behind the visor, competitors who literally put their lives on the line for sporting entertainment - and potential TT glory.
Read more: Superbike riders rally behind Lee Johnston with Donington Park gesture
The prospect of death is never far from mind for the riders as they stand on the start line, preparing to head out on the 37-mile Mountain Course.
It is a macabre backdrop to a thrilling sport, one that will take centre stage from May 29 to June 10 when the 2023 TT enjoys its two-week festival.
A number of top riders have chatted candidly about the physical and mental challenges the 37-mile circuit presents, and the dangers that line every corner, straight and bump..
Many of them have featured in a brilliant new documentary called 'No Room For Error', which offers fans a behind-the-scenes look into the lives the minds of the competitors who put everything on the line.
Filmed during TT 2022, it includes interviews with Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness, Glenn Irwin, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison and many more.
Yorkshireman Harrison says most riders consider the dangers of the sport when they arrive at the Isle of Man TT, which claimed six lives last year.
“You do think about it sometimes. I do anyway,” he tells the documentary.
“I think everyone does and I think if you say you don’t you’re a liar. I think it’s always in the back of your mind somewhere.”
Even though John McGuinness has won 23 TTs during his glittering career, it does little to ease the nerves heading into a new Isle of Man fortnight.
And he says the nauseous tension is felt across the paddock and the riders.
“We cross each other’s paths and it’s like ‘how are you doing’ but I know they’ll all be s******* themselves,” says McGuinness.
“We just cover it up a bit more. There’s no way they’re not thinking about what can go wrong or happen.”
Another rider to feature on the documentary is Fermanagh's Lee Johnston, who suffered a serious crash at this month's North West 200.
Johnston was airlifted to hospital after sustaining several serious injuries. He also required a blood transfusion on a nearby golf course.
The Supersport TT winner tells the programme: “Imagine finishing what you do for a living and being over the moon to be still alive.”
The four-part series launched on ITV4 on Monday, May 22 and can be watched back on the ITVX streaming service.
READ NEXT:
- BSB riders rally behind Lee Johnston with Donington Park gesture
Frampton offers Conlan prediction and sounds warning to Belfast boxer
Josh van der Flier 'heartbroken' after Leinster’s Champions Cup final loss
Rory McIlroy's net worth as he's named UK's richest sportsperson under the age of 35
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your
