Road Racing: Michael Dunlop Claims Victory in Supersport TT, Edging Closer to Uncle’s Record
June 4, 2024, Road Racing News
Michael Dunlop, a seasoned road racing champion, took a significant step towards surpassing his late uncle Joey Dunlop’s record at the TT on Saturday. The 35-year-old Ulsterman notched up his 26th TT win, just one shy of his uncle’s all-time record, set in 2000.
Dunlop, who has made a name for himself in the road racing circuit since his TT debut in 2007, started the 2024 event on a Triumph but switched to his MD Racing-run Yamaha for the Supersport class. The move proved fruitful as he clinched the opening contest for the class, delayed to 2:45 pm local time due to a morning road traffic accident.
Race Highlights
From sixth place on the road, Dunlop stormed into the lead on lap two of four at the Ballaugh Bridge sector split. He gradually extended his lead, fending off a charge from Davey Todd on the Powertoolmate Ducati across the third tour. Ultimately, Dunlop secured his historic win by 8.574s, leaving Todd and Dean Harrison, the official Honda rider, to complete the podium.
Family Legacy
As the last of the racing Dunlop dynasty, Michael’s victory was all the more poignant, given the tragic losses his family has faced. His father, Robert, was killed at the North West 200 in 2008, while his younger brother William died at Skerries in 2018.
Supersport Race
The Supersport race witnessed intense competition, with Paul Jordan starting at number one on the road aboard his Jackson Racing Honda. Dean Harrison, meanwhile, led on corrected time at the first sector split at Glen Helen, a mere 0.080s ahead of Todd’s Ducati. Dunlop trailed by 0.764s in third, but his pace picked up as the race progressed.
Final Results
By the final tour, Dunlop’s lead had swelled to five seconds, and he continued to extend his advantage, eventually crossing the line with a comfortable margin. Todd kick-started TT 2024 with his second career podium, while Harrison completed the rostrum in third, 22.381s behind the Ducati rider.
- Top 6 Finishers:
- 4th: James Hillier (Bournemouth Racing Kawasaki)
- 5th: James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki)
- 6th: Josh Brookes (Russell Racing Yamaha)
“It was an incredible feeling to win the Supersport TT, especially given the family’s history in the sport. I’m grateful to my team and sponsors for their support.” – Michael Dunlop
🔗 Source
