By Pretty much on schedule, the eight-lap Open race commenced today’s race action at Walderstown.
Third on the grid, 21 times TT winner Michael Dunlop made a rapid start and soon held a narrow advantage over Irish Road Race Superbike Championship leader Michael Sweeney.
With live timing, up to date race information at a premium, it wasn’t until the last lap that many of us, who unfortunately aren’t Walderstown bound this weekend, could find out who clinched opening 1000cc race honours.
Once all was confirmed, Michael Dunlop and the Buildbase Suzuki emerged on top after an absolute 1000cc classic.
Dunlop’s first national roads victory of 2022 takes his overall Irish road race wins tally to 110, one more than fellow roads greats Phillip McCallen and Ray McCullough.
Finishing a close runner-up to the Supersport TT lap record holder, just 0.339 in arrears was Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Sweeney with third acquired by BE Racing/RK Racing’s Michael Browne.
Rounding out the top five finishers were 2018 Newcomers Manx winner Thomas Maxwell, the improving Graham Kennedy and James Chawke.
Positions seventh to tenth were clinched by Richard McLoughlin, Darryl Anderson, Wilson Craig Racing’s Darryl Tweed and Liam Chawke.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
