Michael Dunlop ‘happy enough' after practice as second washout averted at Isle of Man TT

Belfast Telegraph

27-05-2025

Only the newcomers completed a lap on Monday before the rest of the schedule was called off due to wet weather.
There was a question mark over Tuesday's practice with more rain in the forecast, but although there were heavy showers earlier in the day, the weather improved and roads began to dry out.
The Sidecar competitors went out first shortly after 6.30pm before it was the turn of the solo riders, who left the line on Glencrutchery Road in bright sunshine.
A full schedule was run, albeit practice was untimed with riders warned of damp patches at various parts of the course.
Michael Dunlop, who made history last year after taking over from his uncle Joey as the most successful TT rider ever, went out first on his Paton Supertwin machine and did one lap of the 37.73-mile course before jumping onto his new Ducati Panigale V2.
The Ballymoney man did two laps on the Italian machine before switching to his BMW Superbike towards the end of the session.
Dunlop's long-time sponsor Gary Ryan, speaking after Dunlop did his first lap of the 2025 event on the Paton Supertwin, said: 'He was happy enough, but he wouldn't say a big pile after the first lap and we'll see what he says after this.
'But it's great to get out because we're here since Friday and it seems like a week ago now at this stage.'
Dunlop is on the brink of a milestone 30th victory after his four wins in 2024 moved him onto 29 wins, three more than Joey's famous tally of 26 which had stood since 2000.
Tuesday night's session was a chance for riders to ease themselves into the groove after a year away from the TT and with less pressure, with all sessions being held as free practice.
Lincolnshire's Gary Johnson, a two-time TT winner in the Supersport class, made his comeback after injury.
Johnson was caught up in an accident in the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) which thwarted his plans to race at the TT in 2024.
'I expected to be back into fitness quite a bit sooner, but the operation wasn't quite a success and it's took a bit of time,' Johnson said.
'I was hoping to be back last year, but it just wasn't going to happen.
'It took more time to get prepared, mentally, physically and machinery-wise, and I'm so happy to be back – it's the best island in the world when it's like this.
'I'm nervous and you've got to be, and if you don't have that, then you're not the right man to be going around here.
'I'll have a look around and enjoy myself, and I'm hoping to come back with a big smile on my face and just enjoy it.
'I've got my own GSX-R750, which is something I bought a couple of years ago to test on because I was going to come here with the Astro Van team but, unfortunately, two weeks before, I smashed myself to pieces through no fault of my own.
'I've been working on it and I've had to change the electronics to the next generation, and I've had a nightmare because I don't have a factory team helping us, so it's trial and error.
'Over the year, it has come a lot better.'
Practice is set to resume on Wednesday evening, with roads closed from 6.00pm.
The weather forecast on Wednesday is favourable, with only a small risk of an odd shower.