I’ve been looking further into the early days of the Coupe Internationale which, as well as heralding the start of international roadracing, indirectly led to the TT. The 1905 report now includes the FICM rules, which included a promise that squaddies and cops would patrol the course following the chaos at the 1904 race. And the Coupe report is followed by the story of the British trials which were staged on the Isle of Man. There’s even a link with Sherlock Holmes. Wordsearch ‘coupe’ in 1904, 1905 and 1906 to read the story.
Motorcycle Timeline 