Even the Abu Dhabi Auto Racing League
Michael Dunlop extended his impressive Isle of Man TT win record by claiming his third win of the 2024 event in the shortened and rescheduled second Supersport race on Saturday.
It was Dunlop's sixth straight win in the middleweight division (and 28th overall at the TT) – and it looked in doubt as he remained out of a close battle for second place between Dean Harrison and Davey Todd.
Most Isle of Man TT wins
Michael Dunlop – 28
Joey Dunlop – 26
John McGuinness – 23
Dave Molyneux – 17
Ian Hutchinson – 16
Mike Hailwood – 14
Ben Birchall – 14
Tom Birchall – 14
Peter Hickman – 14
Postponed from its originally scheduled date on Wednesday due to bad weather on the Isle of Man, the event was cut from the original four laps to three and then finally two – something that traditionally does not suit Dunlop's slow starting style.
However, it did not affect him too much as he made the most of his other signature skill: pressing hard in the wet conditions left behind by the rain which pushed back the schedule even further on Saturday morning.
“It was a bit windy,” Dunlop admitted after the race. “I had a little problem on the first lap and lost the lead, but I don't know if it was because of the wind, or if I hit a wet spot, or if we lost fork pressure. It was one of the three anyway!”
“I couldn't push as hard as I wanted to, because in my mind it was just not 100%.
“But I can't say anything more than that, the bike was great and everything else was good. To beat the factory teams on a special bike is great.
“I don't think the race distance affects them because they race in BSB [British Superbikes] Week after week and it can happen bang bang.
“But I need a few miles to get going, and four laps would have suited me – but I don’t care, a win is a win!”
Behind him, Harrison and Superstock TT winner Todd traded second place back and forth for most of the first lap before the factory Honda rider pulled ahead and stayed there until the checkered flag, four seconds clear of Dunlop but two seconds ahead of Todd's Ducati.
With a hectic final day of the 2024 event as organizers try to complete as much of the racing as possible, Dunlop will return to the track soon for a second Supertwin TT, which has also been shortened to two laps, and then finally the blue-ribbon Senior TT. Four laps of the 37.73 mile course.
