Dunlop Denied, Hickman Triumphs in Dramatic Isle of Man TT Supertwin Race

On Wednesday, rising road racing star Dean Dunlop was on the verge of equaling his late uncle Joey Dunlop’s all-time record of 26 TT victories, having secured his 25th career win in the Supersport class. Dunlop had been the dominant force earlier in the week, clinching victory in the Supertwin race on Tuesday, and was heavily favored to secure a second win on Friday.

Mechanical Woes Derail Dunlop’s Hopes

However, Dunlop’s dreams of matching his uncle’s illustrious record were dashed when his Paton machine suffered a mechanical issue while leading the race over the treacherous Mountain section of the circuit. This allowed Mike Browne to take a comfortable lead, seemingly destined for his maiden TT triumph.

Browne’s Retirement Opens the Door for Hickman

Sadly, Browne’s hopes were also short-lived, as he was forced to retire on the second lap due to a clutch problem. This unexpected turn of events gifted Peter Hickman a shock second victory of the day, marking the first ever win for the Yamaha R7 in the Supertwin class.

“It was a crazy race with lots of drama and unexpected twists and turns,” said Hickman. “I’m delighted to take the win, especially on a new bike like the Yamaha R7.”

Hickman, who had already set a new outright lap record of 136.358mph en route to his 11th career TT win in the earlier Superstock race, now finds himself with 12 TT victories to his name, including a second Supertwin triumph.

Dunlop’s Misfortune, Hickman’s Triumph

Despite holding a slender lead over Browne through the early stages of the race, Dunlop was ultimately powerless to prevent his machine’s demise, leaving the way clear for Hickman to secure a comfortable victory, finishing 47.784 seconds ahead of Pierre Yves Bian, who celebrated his maiden TT podium.

The race was not without further drama, as Josh Brookes claimed his first-ever TT rostrum, while Stefano Bonetti and Rob Hodson rounded out the top five. Unfortunately, early podium contender Dom Herbertson was a retirement on the third lap.

This thrilling Supertwin encounter once again showcased the unpredictable nature of the Isle of Man TT, with mechanical issues playing a pivotal role in determining the eventual outcome. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see if Dunlop can bounce back and finally equal his uncle’s long-standing record in the upcoming races.

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