TT 2024 off to record-breaking start as Dunlop and Hickman bask in early success!
Michael Dunlop’s story was always destined to be linked with the TT..
Son of Robert (5 TT wins) and nephew of Joey (26 TT wins), two legends of Irish road racing, he had eyes on succeeding around the Isle of Man from the moment he first started riding motorbikes at the age of four.
The rider from Ballymoney, Northern Ireland always knew the daunting 37.73-mile track is where he would add to the Dunlop legend. “That’s where I was going to make my name,” he wrote of his first competitive trip to the Isle of Man aged 19 in his autobiography Road Racer. “Or ruin it forever in trying.”
Even the teenage Michael would have been surprised by what’s followed. At 35 years of age, he’s become the joint most successful rider in the TT history, equalling Joey’s record of 26 wins, by taking a commanding victory in Saturday’s Monster Energy Supersport TT, adding yet another chapter in the annals of the Dunlop legend.
The Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 was the first of ten races scheduled across an action-packed race week. And it lived up to the billing, as a brilliant three-rider fight developed. Dunlop was made to work hard, as he first had to reel in early leader Dean Harrison and then hold off Davey Todd on the closing lap as history beckoned. The Northern Irishman was initially entered to ride a Triumph in the class. But a late decision to switch to his trusted MD Racing Yamaha R6 paid off as he took the chequered flag 8.5s clear of Todd.
“It’s fantastic,” said an emotional Dunlop after his historic success. “I knew it was going to be tight as we had issues in practice and it took a couple of laps to dig in. To equal Joey’s record has been something that’s been playing on our mind, and everyone’s mind, all week. No matter what else happens in life … I’ve got to it. And that’s something special.”
And the highs and lows of the TT were on full display over the first two race days. Dunlop was once again in peerless form on Sunday in the Superbike TT, leading the six-lap affair by 25.1 seconds thanks to a new Superbike lap record set at an average speed of 135.543mph posted on lap 2. Yet just two laps and 34 minutes from scoring another victory to take him clear of Uncle Joey’s record, disaster struck as a replacement helmet visor wasn’t fitted properly, forcing to Dunlop to stop after his pit lane exit, which dropped him to fourth.
That mishap allowed Monster Energy BMW by FHO’s Peter Hickman into the lead. Having started slowly, the Englishman rose from fourth on lap 1 to hold off Todd by 5.84 seconds at the close of lap six, earning him a result which took him level with all-time legend Mike Hailwood, as well as sidecar duo Ben and Tom Birchall, on 14 TT wins.
“I just wasn’t fast enough,” said Hicky after the race. “The first laps in particular I didn’t seem to have the pace. The bike was moving around a lot more than practice. Everything worked pretty well. We were gifted it a bit but this is an endurance race. I’ve lost races here before due to bike problems so it’s swings and roundabouts! I’m massively thankful for the FHO Racing Team. And to equal a record set by someone like Mike Hailwood is unbelievable to be honest!”
There was further joy for John McGuinness, who took a hard-earned sixth place in the Superbike TT. The 23-time TT winner was locked in a race long-long scrap for fifth with James Hillier, and had to use all of his experience accumulated over his previous 108 TT starts to hold off Jamie Coward for a top six on the final lap.
Monster Energy BMW by FHO’s Josh Brookes has had an action-packed event so far. The Australian hit a bird when travelling at close to 160mph during practice, yet still managed to lap at over 123mph despite losing his screen in the collision. Josh scored a super sixth place in the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 but was a non-finisher in the Superbike TT.
The action is set to continue on Tuesday, 4th June with Hickman, Dunlop, McGuinness and Brookes all set to do battle for victory in the 3-lap Superstock TT Race 1. That will be followed by the Supertwin TT Race 1, when Dunlop and Hickman will again be hopeful of adding wins to their current tally.