7 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop takes Supertwin glory to increase Isle of Man TT tally to 31: ‘I still want to improve'
Dunlop has been the man to beat in the class in recent years and he followed up his double in 2024 with another comfortable win on the Italian Paton S1-R, coming home over 22 seconds ahead of Manxman Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Kawasaki), who was celebrating his first TT podium on his birthday.
Dunlop's latest victory – his second of race week after he won Monday's opening Supersport race – was a record 48th podium for the Ballymoney man.
Wigan's Rob Hodson was also celebrating his first TT podium as he finished third on the SMT Racing Paton, 13 seconds behind runner-up Evans.
Dunlop said: 'I felt good and just got bedded into it, and I thought it was Michael [Evans]. I was up 10 seconds on him and I assumed that's who it was.
'Obviously this job here is just a nursing match and the bike wasn't overly strong today for some reason – that's not being rude to the lads – the bike was good, but it just lacked a wee bit and Michael kept trying to pass me.
'I think he realised there was no point because I'd jam it back in again!
'Thanks to the Paton lads again and it's 31 wins now, and I'd like to thank them and I appreciate all the work they do for me.
'My Italian's not great and my English is even worse, but I've a great working relationship and I've a lot of time for the boys and we'll sit down tonight, improve and keep going. I'm happy, everything's good.'
Reflecting on yet another win around the legendary 37.73-mile Mountain Course, Dunlop said he was feeling good with two wins from four races so far.
'It's nice, 31 wins, and the week's been good,' he added.
'We've had ups and downs, ins and outs, and everything else for that matter, but that's the TT and I'm sitting with two wins this week already.
'Folk come here hunting for wins and I've got two, so just keep pushing and I'm happy riding, so I'm good.'
Last year, the 36-year-old surpassed his uncle Joey's record of 26 wins, which had stood since 2000.
Dunlop won four races 12 months ago for the second consecutive year and is already on course to repeat the feat.
He will have another strong chance in Wednesday's second Supersport race, which is scheduled for 10:45am. The second Sidecar race is also set to take place at 2pm.
Tuesday's race schedule was switched to an evening contingency plan after heavy rain and high winds on Monday night left roads wet in places and deemed unsuitable for racing in the afternoon following an inspection lap.
North West 200 Supertwin race winner Paul Jordan narrowly missed out on a podium last night on the Jackson Racing Aprilia by only 1.757s to Hodson.
Davey Todd, Monday's Superbike winner, was fifth on the Milenco by Padgett's Racing Paton with Dominic Herbertson completing the top six on the Melbray Racing Paton ahead of Ulsterman Adam McLean (Flitwick Yamaha).
A second Supertwin race is due to be held on Friday, when Dunlop will be the favourite for honours once more.
