Cool, bright sunny conditions greeted competitors for the 2015 Steve Henshaw international gold cup.
Dean Harrison on the Mar Train Racing YZF R1M Yamaha, gained a strong start to lead into Mere Hairpin from Dan Hegarty, Downshift Motorsport ZX10R Kawasaki.
End of opening lap saw 2014 lightweight TT winner Harrison in race lead from Hegarty, as John McGuinness slotted into third place close behind.
Lee Johnston was fourth, as Ivan Lintin RC Express Racing ZX10R Kawasaki completed the top five.
Lap two saw Dean Harrison’s advantage out front grow, behind the chasing pack where closely matched as Lee Johnston moved into second place, Dan Hegarty was third, Ivan Lintin held fourth position.
Drama struck on lap two at Memorial as John McGuinness on EMC2 backed CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade, fell out of contention.
Onto lap three and Harrison’s advantage grew further, as he was proving why many consider him one of pure road racing’s most naturally talented riders.
Lee Johnston remained in second place, reigning gold cup champion Ivan Lintin moved into third, Dan Hegarty in fourth was keeping up an excellent pace on Downshift Motorsport ZX10R Kawasaki.
Mick Goodings was fifth, James Cowton piloting his own teams CBR 600 Honda, finalised the top six.
Lap four would see positions within the top four remain the same, although Lee Johnston and Ivan Lintin where closer together, as the current lightweight TT winner piled the pressure on the rider of the meeting, at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix.
Michael Dunlop was seventh at the end of lap four, then pulled into the paddock at the beginning of lap five to retire from the race, on his own teams S1000RR BMW.
Ivan Lintin moved into second place on lap five which saw Dean Harrison, keeping up his fine form on Mar Train Racing YZF R1M Yamaha.
Following more consistent, rapid, firm pace on laps six and seven, Dean Harrison went into the final lap on the verge, of clinching gold cup victory for the first time.
Producing another typically all out action display on Mar Train Racing’s Yamaha superbike, Dean crossed the line at the end of lap eight, to win the 2015 Steve Henshaw international gold cup.
It’s Dean’s second international road race victory, and his first international road race superbike win.
Ivan Lintin propelled the RC Express Racing ZX10R Kawasaki to strong second place finish, Ivan has enjoyed an excellent 2015 pure road racing season, becoming a TT winner alongside multiple world class results.
East Coast Racing’s Lee Johnston rounded out the top three finishers, following a highly accomplished display from the rider who has in 2015, won more international road races than any other rider.
Dan Hegarty, Downshift Motorsport ZX10R Kawasaki, produced one of the rides of the race, finishing a fine fourth.
Dan who made his Oliver’s Mount debut at the Spring Cup National Road Races, loves competing around the iconic road race circuit.
Mick Goodings finished an excellent fifth as reigning Duke Road Race Rankings champion James Cowton finished a highly creditable sixth.
Mark Goodings was seventh, Oliver’s Mount newcomers Dan Kneen and Dan Cooper both showed their proven quality in finishing eighth and tenth.
William Dunlop, Ivan Curran/CD Racing YZF R6 Yamaha finished ninth, following another thoroughly professional and accomplished performance from the 2015 Irish road race supersport/superbike champion.
Sixth place finisher in senior Manx Grand Prix, Tom Weeden finished a highly respectable 11th on his own teams 675 Daytona Triumph.
Dean Harrison’s Steve Henshaw international gold cup success, is the culmination of seven years of rapid progress around the mount from one of pure road racing’s most talented riders.
It’s been a tricky 2015 season at times for Dean, he’s proven though this year with series of top draw performances, why he’s considered a senior TT winner in the making.