Flags are used to communicate information to riders during races and practices.

Marshals use different flags mainly to give safety information. For example, the so-called ‘sun’ flag is used to warn riders of blinding sunlight, something that can often cause a problem for riders heading west on the TT course in evening practices. Different flags also warn of poor visibility or potentially slippery road surfaces, where there has been an oil spillage, for example.

A stationary raised yellow flag tells a rider to slow down, not to overtake and be prepared for a possible obstruction on the course, perhaps a rider who has broken down.

A waved yellow flag indicates a more serious incident. Again, a rider should not over-take, should slow down drastically and be prepared to stop if necessary.

A waved yellow flag may be followed by a red flag, which is an instruction to riders that the race or practice is stopped. Riders are then pulled over at certain designated red flag points around the course where they can be safely pulled off the course, leaving it clear.

Ballacraine is one such point.

Parliament Square in Ramsey is another.

It is an established rule that riders don’t return to the course unless told to do so as there could be travelling marshals or emergency vehicles on the road. It is also likely that there could be an obstruction at some point in the road.

At most race courses, riders must always travel in race direction, but on the Mountain Course, special instructions are sometimes issued by the clerk of the course, who is in charge of the event, allowing riders to return to the Grandstand in the opposite direction.

This is often because of an obstruction on the course.

If this happens, riders are usually accompanied by a travelling marshal.

The travelling marshals are all ex racers, who are in radio contact with the race control at the Grandstand. They can give expert advice on road conditions for example, and whether racing or practising could continue safely.

They also carry medical equipment and have first aid training.