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Michael Dunlop’s history making quest is complete, he is once and for all currently, the most winning rider in TT Races history.
3.2 seconds clear at Glen Helen on lap one of the Metzeler Super Twins race, ‘Maverick’ (SC Project Paton), 162 mph through the Sulby speed trap, would not be toppled from here, accruing in typical determined, rapid fashion race spoils.
His final race winning margin was over twenty seconds, with Peter Hickman scoring a 29th TT podium finish, second astride the striking Swan Yamaha.
Dunlop’s third, final lap saw him get close to his existing class lap record, lapping at 122.434 mph.
Joining 41 times TT winners’ combined Dunlop, Hickman on the podium was a jubilant Dominic Herbertson.
Herbertson (BE/RK Racing Paton) held off on the last lap a charging Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), who kept keen proximity with history maker Dunlop.
Just 5.494 seconds separated Herbertson and Coward whilst fifth went to top Aprilia pilot, race runner-up last year, Michael Browne.
Davey Todd aboard the Dafabet Racing Kawasaki had a more subdued run to sixth.
Michael Rutter scored seventh with 2023 Senior Manx GP winner Joe Yeardsley, TH Racing’s AJ Venter, Pierre Yves Bian completing the first ten finishers.
Eleventh to twentieth place finishers were Josh Brookes (Rev2Race Yamaha), Michael Sweeney, Francesco Curinga (Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments), Julian Trummer, Tom Weeden.
Cowton Racing’s Gareth Arnold, Michael ‘Jack’ Russell, Brian McCormack, Michal ‘Indi’ Dokoupil and having more prosperous fortunes after not qualifying for the Superbike race, Martin Morris.
A further fifteen accomplished full race distances, they were Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing), Timothee Monot, Rhys Hardisty, fellow Welshman Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Mark Parrett.
Wayne Bourgeais, Marc Colvin, VRS Racing’s Pete Murray, Peoples Bike Team’s Jack Petrie, yesteryear racing specialist Andy Hornby.
Japan’s only TT 2024 competitor Masayuki Yamanaka, Dave Madsen Mygdal bulking up his record all-time TT finishes tally, Veronika Hankocyova, Craig Szczypek, Maria Costello MBE.
Rob Hodson on course for a top six finish, retired at Bray Hill on lap three whilst added notable retirees included Adam McLean, Marcus Simpson and Stefano Bonetti.
Post race reaction:
Peter Hickman:
“Really happy with the Swan R7, to get it on the podium, it’s been great to have them on board, great to have them here and to give them a podium in the first Super Twins race.
Obviously, we want to win but we are a little bit behind the Patons, in the straight line, 5 or 6 mph, it’s a long old way to try and get back but we’ll have another go on Friday see were we end up.”
“Corner speed is good, chassis is absolutely mega, we’ve got it going really well (R7 Yamaha), just could do with few more mph in a straight line.”
Dominic Herbertson:
“I don’t even know what to say or do or to act, when I pulled into the podium there, I was expecting to get pulled away.
You know when you get wheeled in and you’re thinking at any point they are going to change their mind and I’m going to lose my position, you’ve got to be in the fight and it’s nice, phenomenal.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
His final race winning margin was over twenty seconds, with Peter Hickman scoring a 29th TT podium finish, second astride the striking Swan Yamaha.
Dunlop’s third, final lap saw him get close to his existing class lap record, lapping at 122.434 mph.
Joining 41 times TT winners’ combined Dunlop, Hickman on the podium was a jubilant Dominic Herbertson.
Herbertson (BE/RK Racing Paton) held off on the last lap a charging Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), who kept keen proximity with history maker Dunlop.
Just 5.494 seconds separated Herbertson and Coward whilst fifth went to top Aprilia pilot, race runner-up last year, Michael Browne.
Davey Todd aboard the Dafabet Racing Kawasaki had a more subdued run to sixth.
Michael Rutter scored seventh with 2023 Senior Manx GP winner Joe Yeardsley, TH Racing’s AJ Venter, Pierre Yves Bian completing the first ten finishers.
Eleventh to twentieth place finishers were Josh Brookes (Rev2Race Yamaha), Michael Sweeney, Francesco Curinga (Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments), Julian Trummer, Tom Weeden.
Cowton Racing’s Gareth Arnold, Michael ‘Jack’ Russell, Brian McCormack, Michal ‘Indi’ Dokoupil and having more prosperous fortunes after not qualifying for the Superbike race, Martin Morris.
A further fifteen accomplished full race distances, they were Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing), Timothee Monot, Rhys Hardisty, fellow Welshman Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Mark Parrett.
Wayne Bourgeais, Marc Colvin, VRS Racing’s Pete Murray, Peoples Bike Team’s Jack Petrie, yesteryear racing specialist Andy Hornby.
Japan’s only TT 2024 competitor Masayuki Yamanaka, Dave Madsen Mygdal bulking up his record all-time TT finishes tally, Veronika Hankocyova, Craig Szczypek, Maria Costello MBE.
Rob Hodson on course for a top six finish, retired at Bray Hill on lap three whilst added notable retirees included Adam McLean, Marcus Simpson and Stefano Bonetti.
Post race reaction:
Peter Hickman:
“Really happy with the Swan R7, to get it on the podium, it’s been great to have them on board, great to have them here and to give them a podium in the first Super Twins race.
Obviously, we want to win but we are a little bit behind the Patons, in the straight line, 5 or 6 mph, it’s a long old way to try and get back but we’ll have another go on Friday see were we end up.”
“Corner speed is good, chassis is absolutely mega, we’ve got it going really well (R7 Yamaha), just could do with few more mph in a straight line.”
Dominic Herbertson:
“I don’t even know what to say or do or to act, when I pulled into the podium there, I was expecting to get pulled away.
You know when you get wheeled in and you’re thinking at any point they are going to change their mind and I’m going to lose my position, you’ve got to be in the fight and it’s nice, phenomenal.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
