Michael Dunlop seals top spot in qualifying to boost hopes of Supersport glory at Southern 100

Belfast Telegraph

09-07-2025

Dunlop improved from 15th on Monday to seal the top spot on the Milwaukee Ducati Panigale V2.
The Ballymoney rider jumped up the leaderboard after limited laps in Monday's practice session, which was halted by a red flag crash involving French rider Yann Galli.
In an update on Tuesday, the Southern 100 organisers said Galli had been transferred to a hospital in the UK and described his condition as 'comfortable and stable'.
Racing was due to get under way on Tuesday night around the 4.25-mile Billown course, but the first Senior race for Superbikes did not go ahead after some riders, including Dunlop and Michael Sweeney, signalled that conditions were unsuitable after completing their sighting lap.
Rain showers and fading light after qualifying ended ultimately wiped out the planned two-race schedule.
The Superbike machines were ushered back into the paddock and Clerk of the Course Giles Olley said he had taken on board the views of three senior riders, who had been selected to give their feedback.
The less powerful Supertwin machines were given the green light to race shortly before 9.00pm, but the red flag came out after the opening lap when rain began to fall.
Rob Hodson was leading at the time on the SMT Racing Paton from Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgett's Paton) at the time of the stoppage.
Earlier, Dunlop lapped at 110.243mph in Supersport qualifying to secure pole by just over half a second on his Ducati from Todd (Milenco by Padgett's Honda).
Cork's Mike Browne was third fastest on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha followed by Ulsterman Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Honda).
In the Superbike qualifying session, Todd picked up where he left off on Monday, leading the way on the 8TEN Racing BMW at 115.644mph.
Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) was around half a second in arrears in second place after lapping at 115.159mph, while Manx rider Nathan Harrison maintained his impressive form on the H&H Motorcycles Honda to go third fastest (114.634mph).
Dunlop was fourth on his MD Racing BMW with a speed of 112.908mph.
Todd, who is the reigning Solo champion at the event following a hard-earned win over Dunlop in 2024, said there was more to come from his BMW.
'I'm happy enough and I was just trying to navigate traffic and get a couple of laps in early before we hit traffic,' Todd said.
'The bike is working well and the team is doing a great job but we're missing a sprocket, so the gearing is wrong, but the bike's working alright and it will be even better when we get the sprocket we need."
Wigan's Hodson was fastest in the Supertwin session at 104.957mph from Todd (104.781mph), with Jordan – who won his maiden race at the North West 200 in the Supertwin class in May – third on the Jackson Racing Aprilia.
Practice and qualifying has now been completed at the Southern 100 with racing scheduled to commence on Wednesday evening when the first Superbike, Supersport, Supertwin and Sidecar races are on the programme.
The meeting concludes on Thursday with a packed day of racing in the morning and afternoon, including the blue-riband Solo Championship race.