By Fourteen races down, one to go, the blue-riband feature race of this year’s Bear Competitions Cookstown 100.
Pre-race, the Michael’s Dunlop MBE and Sweeney, both looked relaxed, chatty, in good form when speaking to circuit commentator Gareth Keys.
Once racing commenced, the BMW mounted riders ensured 2026 C100 action ended in blistering, pulsating style.
Covered by just 0.415 at mid race distance, lap six proved key for the race’s outcome as Dunlop MBE entered overdrive mode, setting the first ever 92 mph lap at Cookstown.
Another record time post lap seven (1.22.047), enabled the Ballymoney rider to move 3.108 seconds ahead.
There was no stopping Dunlop MBE from this point, whose final race winning gap over Sweeney neared nine seconds (8.659 to be exact).
Marcus Simpson astride his own outfits red, white liveried, David & Donna Buckley backed Honda, clinched third having kept pace with Dunlop MBE (now 130 times an Irish road race winner) and Sweeney across opening race stages.
Darryl Tweed edged Kevin Keyes for fourth, James Chawke bested Neil Kernohan for sixth.
Don Gilbert (Parker Car Transport Racing – Yamaha), Julian Trummer (Smith Racing – BMW), Sean Brolly wrapped up the Grand Final top ten.
Remaining race finishers were Darryl Anderson (11th), Richard McLoughlin (12th) and Shaun Buckle (13th).
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
