Dunlop Smashes Lap Record

Michael Dunlop became the first man to do a 130mph lap in the Supersport race to make it four wins in the week.

Victory in the Supersport brings MD within one win of his uncle Joey’s record of 26.

Heading through Glen Helen, Dunlop and Dean Harrison set the pace on lap one, with the former leading by just 0.113 second with Peter Hickman in third 1.792 seconds back, Davey Todd was a close fourth just 0.116 second behind.

By Ballaugh Dunlop had extended his lead to 2.6 seconds, with Hickman closing to 0.8 seconds behind Harrison with Davey Todd 2.214 seconds back in fourth.

As the racers headed up the Mountain on lap one, Dunlop led by 6.511 seconds over Harrison as he started to close down on people on the road, overtaking Jamie Coward and giving himself a clearer section of road to further build his lead.

Heading out on lap two, Dunlop lead Harrison by 6.692 seconds at the Grandstand, but the Yorkshireman had extended his lead over Hickman in third to 2.442 seconds, while Todd was 7.8 down on him in fourth.

As MD passed through Glen Helen he was inside the lap record and 8.581 seconds ahead of Harrison, while Coward, who was catching a ride behind Dunlop, had leapfrogged over Todd into fourth.

By Ballaugh Dunlop was 2.9 seconds inside the Supersport lap record, while behind him Hickman was reeling Harrison in, cutting the gap between second and third down to 1.428 seconds as their epic battle throughout the week continued.

Coming out of Hairpin, Hickman had taken over Harrison, taking second place 1.4 seconds ahead of his rival, while Dunlop was 12.560 seconds clear out in front.

With a pitstop at the end of the lap, unsurprisingly Dunlop didn’t make the lap record, but only by a shade.

As lap three reached Bungalow, Dunlop’s lead was 8.988 seconds over Hickman in second, while Harrison was some 18.878 seconds back in third.

Heading out for the final lap, Hickman cut into Dunlop’s lead, bringing it down to 8.147 seconds, further extending that lead over Harrison to 20.611 seconds in third, with Davey Todd just 3.760 seconds behind him in fourth and looking to claim a podium.

Dunlop and Hickman were both within lap record pace heading through Glen Helen, with the former 7.799 seconds ahead, while Harrison had extended his lead over Todd to 5.249 seconds to tighten his grip on third.

By the time Dunlop went through Bungalow, he was chasing down Harrison on the road and was an incredible 8.1 seconds INSIDE the lap record.

As crowds stood to applaud him along the way in to the Grandstand, MD broke the lap record making the first ever 130mph lap, crossing at 130.403mph (17m 21.604s) on a 600cc bike.

Much like London buses, you wait forever for one to come along and two come at once as Hickman also crossed the line at 130.2mph in second.

Harrison completed the podium and barely missed the 130mph mark himself.

Top 6

Dunlop
Hickman
Harrison
Todd
Coward
Hind