Dunlop doubles Supersport with new TT lap record 130.4 mph

news7g06/08/2023

1 6 minutes read

Dunlop doubles Supersport with new TT lap record 130.4 mph

Isle of Man TT results in 2023
Second Supersport TT Race – Four laps

With Ben McCook

IOM TT 2023 is a gift that keeps on giving. Michael Dunlop now has 25 TT wins after winning his second Monster Energy Supersport race of the week in a record-breaking run on Wednesday afternoon.

The 34-year-old has racked up an astounding four wins in a week and is now just one win behind his uncle Joey, with three more races to come.

Michael took the pen of fate and dashed over the 130 mph barrier in today’s final lap, to stop the menacing Peter Hickman and write another chapter in the TT folklore annals. This is the closest one of all though.

Both Dunlop and Hickman broke lap records on the last lap at each supersport lap with an unfathomable 130 mph. On the third lap, Hickman appeared to be trying to win Dunlop back but the MD got the message and threw the sink at it on the final lap. Fans watched and around the world were anxiously waiting as the live broadcast relayed news of the frenetic final round of this mid-range thriller.

‘The Bull’ will not be overturned and increase his lead to a comfortable 10 seconds at the line to achieve a quarter-century of victory and hold on to Joey’s slide with two days remaining. fight.

The race started with Micky D in the front with Harrison and hot Hickman on the tails of his jackets. But it wasn’t long after Hickman won the Trooper Triumph against Harrison and as the leads slowed to refuel at the end of the second round, it became clear that #6 and #10 were the only men likely to win the race. race.

Deano becomes embroiled in a fight with Davey Todd, who finally comes out and engages in a serious battle on the podium for the first time in a whole week.

Behind them, Jamie Coward finished fourth alone after his practice partner James Hillier stopped at White Gates in the opening round. Young Jim Hind is running a great race behind them to finish the top six, certainly a star of the future.

As the race entered the second half, Hickman began to hit back. Trooper Triumph is backing seconds here and seconds there, by the time they start the final round, the gap has dropped to 7.8 seconds.

But Dunlop got the message and posted the fastest area of the race as they pounced between Ballaugh and Glen Helen for the last time and when the clock stopped, Michael was already half a second back. The tides have changed.

At this point, timers began to sit up and take notice – the first 130 mph Supersport lap was on – who could have dreamed that it could happen when McGuinness made the first 130 on Fireblade 15 years ago…? But this is not a dream…

The two biggest stars at TT are facing off against each other; each on motorbikes that they had prepared themselves. Michael is backed by DJ, Carl Cox and Hickman’s by Iron Maiden- but who will come out on top…?

At Ramsey, the difference is 9.4 seconds and at Bungalow a comfortable 10 seconds. Michael then took it ‘stable’ through the mountains, surging through the sensational lap at 130.4 mph despite catching up with Harrison on the road on the final lap over Cronk-ny-Mona. But Hickman pushed him anyway to also make it into that exclusive 130 bracket; evidence if needed how high is the standard of the race around this year’s TT.

It was one of those races that didn’t happen often; Nerve jangling hair on the tool ends. Pure magic.

Michael Dunlop

“I took the lead comfortably but since the Triumph had more cc I knew I would have to ride the little Yam to its full potential but the boys put a great bike underneath me and I know we’ll make it 130. I’ve been trying to track it down and just upgraded the game (when Hickman arrives) The little bikes are sweet and I can’t thank you enough guys.

“The bike hasn’t changed in years, it’s amazing… it’s clear that the new generation bikes make our job a little harder for the guys with the smaller cc. I can’t thank you guys enough, I’ve decided that I’ll have a little time to do it. Building something outside of the workshop and coming here and doing 130 is pretty cool.“

It’s hard to describe how it feels to be here on Isle.of Man. The hands of history are in ours and anyone you speak to knows that this was one of those iconic years. 1967, 1992… 2000. Dunlop is standing on the shoulders of giants and fans are patting him.

Even Peter Hickman is sending his best wishes..

Peter Hickman

“It’s great to have a Michael Dunlop that deserves to win races. I had two years where everyone had problems and all was well with me. I’m having some trouble now, but this is what I want. If it’s easy, there’s no point in doing itt.”

The right respect from one TT legend to another TT legend.

Dean Harrison was third, 25 seconds behind Hickman, but 12 seconds ahead of Davey Todd, who in turn had ten seconds ahead of Jamie Coward.

Cowardly Jamie

“It was another good day at the office, but I had a moment in the first round, which was a shame because the first zone was thrilling. The false neutral position sent me off track at Laurel Bank and I steered the bike as best I could and managed to peek out of the rectal bars rather than crashing into them. After that, it took me a while to move on, but I was soon back in the top 6 and when Michael passed me I fell behind and managed to stay with him for quite some time. .

“He was way ahead of me in the third round and I lost my zipper while the back felt a bit weird after I went through Barregarrow Bottom faster than before. I was steady past Milestone 13 and Kirk Michael but put my head down and to get close to 128 mph on a 600cc bike isn’t too bad – Michael and Pete’s 130s though amazed me! Still, I’m happy with the results and I’m proving that I can do it in every race and on every bike. A few years ago I didn’t think I could run against the top guys but now I know I can.“

James Hind trails behind a minute in sixth but trails Paul Jordan, Craig Neve and David Johnson while Dominic Herbertson makes the top 10.

David Johnson

“I was hoping to get into the top 10 on the minibike again so I’m happy to get there even though it’s a bit annoying to miss out on eighth place by such a small gap! I had a good fight with Paul Jordan, and he got me out of the corners and by pulling him, that pulled me a little bit. He had issues with Ramsey on the final lap although it was a pity that I had to do the Mountain myself; If he’s still in the lead, I could be behind him and eighth could be mine. The bike is faultless again and ninth is a good, strong result in the Supersport class for a heavyweight like me, so with three finishes in the top 10 so far, we are on a winning streak. good week.”

Friday has the second round of the Superstock and SuperTwin races and you won’t exclude Michael from this race. Joey’s son Gary posted a photo of the handed baton on social media a few nights ago – a nice gesture from Michael’s cousin. Could it be passed on Friday? We will find out soon. Thursday is the second and last day off. A respite for all involved.