a day ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop sets new lap record on way to Superbike double at Tandragee 100: ‘I'm riding faster than ever'
Riding his MD Racing BMW, Dunlop – back at the Co Armagh road race for the first time since 2013 – followed up his win in the Open race with a majestic display to win the six-lap finale for his 13th win at the meeting.
The Isle of Man TT history-maker had to dig deep to fend off the threat from Republic of Ireland contender Michael Sweeney on the Martin Jones Racing BMW, who kept in touch with Dunlop over the first three laps.
Dunlop shattered Sweeney's lap record of 109.796mph – set in the earlier Open race – on the second lap with a new mark of 110.497mph.
Sweeney hit straight back, upping the ante to 110.997mph on the third lap as they broke away from Conor Cummins and Shaun Anderson.
Dunlop finally gained some daylight by the end of lap four and was 1.3s ahead.
He then turned the screw, recording the first 111mph lap at Tandragee to raise the absolute record to 111.584mph (2:52.403s) around the 5.3-mile course.
It was enough to seal the deal and Dunlop went on to close out victory by eight seconds over Sweeney.
Banbridge man Anderson finished on the podium in third on the Team Classic Suzuki while Cummins' chance was thwarted when he overshot at the last corner. The Manxman still finished fourth on the Burrows/RK Racing BMW.
It has been a glorious year for Dunlop, who won three races at the North West 200 and increased his record of Isle of Man TT wins to 33 following another four-timer.
The 36-year-old's achievements in the sport have been recognised with an MBE in the King's birthday honours.
Dunlop, who will next be in action at the Southern 100 when he returns to the Isle of Man next month, said: 'The main job for me is the North West and TT, and I think we've done a successful job there and proven we're still one of the top men.
'For the first time in a while I was really competitive at the North West, which was good.
'To do a triple there and go to the TT and win another four it's been a great year.
'I'm riding faster than ever and there's no reason why we can't keep winning and adding to the tally.'
Dunlop had to work hard to hold off Sweeney in the Open Superbike race earlier in the day.
He was headed off the line by Sweeney and Mike Browne (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha 600) and was lying in third at the end of the first lap.
Dunlop worked his way into second place behind Sweeney on the next lap and then nudged ahead.
Sweeney blitzed the seven-year-old absolute lap record set by Dan Kneen in 2018, raising the bar to 109.796mph on the fourth lap – slightly faster than Dunlop (109.755mph).
The scene was set for a grandstand finish but it was Dunlop who held on by 0.4s.
Cummins passed Browne on the last lap to earn a podium.
Browne made it a double in the Supersport class, leading all the way from pole.
The Republic of Ireland rider won Friday's non-championship race and followed up yesterday with another win.
Sweeney was ruled out with an issue on the warm-up lap on the EM Building Yamaha.
Dunlop, riding the Milwaukee Ducati, finished second on corrected time and set a new lap record at 109.276mph.
He had to start from 17th position after failing to qualify on the Ducati on Friday, when he pulled in after a lap with an issue.
Cummins claimed third on the Burrows/RK Racing Ducati after fending off Darryl Tweed (Novo Gen by FAO Racing Honda).
Anderson had a successful day at his home race meeting, dominating the Classic Superbike race on the Wiz Norton to win by 20 seconds from Tweed (Stanley Stewart Yamaha 750).
The Banbridge man later won the Lightweight race on a 250 Honda for a double.
In the Supertwin race, Ballymoney's Tweed was toasting a thrilling win when he capitalised on a mistake by race leader Sweeney on the last lap.
Sweeney went wide on his Aprilia at the final corner, leaving the door wide open for Tweed, who grabbed the win by 1.5s on his Aprilia.
The Junior Support race, won by Sean Brolly on his Aprilia 660, was stopped on the final lap following a red flag incident. No official details were provided.
The final national road race of the season takes place next month with the Armoy meeting in Co Antrim from July 25-26.
