3 months ago
97
Michael Dunlop claimed a record-extending 30th Isle of Man TT victory in a thrilling Supersport race.
Honda rider Dean Harrison led by 2.9 seconds heading onto the final lap as Ducati rider started his charge to the front.
The Northern Ireland rider was just outside his own lap record on the third and final lap as he overhauled Harrison to win by 10.229 seconds.
James Hillier was a remarkable third on his Kawasaki for his first TT podium since 2019.
Davey Todd, who beat Dunlop to the top step of the podium in a thrilling Superbike race earlier on Monday, was fourth ahead of Josh Brookes.
Without the injured Peter Hickman, the trio of Dunlop, Harrison and Todd were tipped to battle it out for victory in the three-lap Supersport race.
It was Harrison who got the best start and led by 3.4 seconds in the early stages, and the Yorkshire rider extended his lead to 7.4 seconds at the pit stops at the end of the opening lap.
However, after making some tweaks to the dampers on his Ducati in his stop, Dunlop started to chip into Harrison's lead on the second lap.
The 35-year-old set purple sector after purple sector to reduce Harrison's margin to 2.9 seconds heading onto the final lap.
Dunlop continued his charge on the final lap and took the lead for the first time at Ballaugh Bridge, where he moved in front by just one tenth of a second.
From there, Dunlop didn't look back around the final circuit of the 37.7 mile lap on the closed public roads on the Isle of Man.
Such was Dunlop's charge, he won by 10.2 seconds with a final lap of 127.500 mph, which was just outside his own lap record.
"It was tough first lap," Dunlop told TT plus about his race.
"It's been the lack of laps and we've struggled on a new manufacturer. It's another manufacturer on my own tally, so it's great.
"Hats off to the boys, they've put their faith in me and I just got on with it."
1. Michael Dunlop (Ducati) Three laps
2. Dean Harrison (Honda) +10.229 seconds
3. James Hillier (Kawasaki) +45.072
4. Davey Todd (Honda) +17.992
5. Josh Brookes (Honda) +10.384
6. Rob Hodson (Yamaha) +27.872
