Michael Dunlop made history at the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 on Saturday afternoon by scoring his 26th win, equaling the record set by his uncle Joey Dunlop. Despite trailing at the start, he managed to get to the front on the track to Ballaugh and eventually took the win by 8.5 seconds ahead of Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati). Dean Harrison (Honda Racing), who had initially led the race, finished third. This was Dunlop's 40th podium finish at the TT races, equaling his uncle's record.
The race started at 14:45. Harrison initially led through Glen Helen, with a narrow lead of 0.08 seconds over Todd. Dunlop was three quarters of a second behind the leader. James Hillier (Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing), James Hind (North Lincs Components Suzuki) and Michael Evans (Smith Racing Triumph) completed the top six, who were within less than three seconds of each other. Peter Hickman took eighth place on the Trooper Triumph from PHR Performance.
At Ballaugh, Dunlop took the lead from Harrison with a half-second advantage, followed by Todd. Dunlop extended his lead to two seconds by Ramsey, while Todd pushed Harrison into third place.
Coward and Harrison continued to battle for positions, while Dunlop extended his lead to 4.5 seconds over Todd (128.133 mph or 206.13 km/h) with a second lap of 128.833 mph (207.30 km/h). During the pit break to refuel, Harrison (127.920 mph or 205.79 km/h), Coward (127.476 mph or 205.09 km/h), Hillier (126.983 mph or 204.32 km/h) and Hind (126.806 mph or 204.05 km/h) rounded out the top six before Coward dropped out due to problems and returned on the backstretch. Hickman dropped back to 11th place, while Conor Cummins also had to retire.
Decision and home straight
Dunlop extended his lead at Glen Helen on the third lap, now 5.5 seconds ahead of Todd. Harrison was a further 3.2 seconds behind, while Hillier, Hind and Jordan took fourth to sixth place.
Todd was able to reduce the gap to Dunlop by one second from Glen Helen to Ballaugh and by a further four tenths to Ramsey, reducing the gap to 4.1 seconds. On the climb to the mountain the gap was 3.9 seconds, but Dunlop responded and extended his lead to five seconds.
Final lap and winner’s crown
Dunlop was not to be outdone and steadily increased his lead until he won the race by 8.5 seconds. Todd achieved his best TT result with second place and set a new Ducati record on the Mountain Course with a lap of 128.785 mph (207.22 km/h).
Harrison claimed his 27th TT podium with third place, while Hillier finished a comfortable fourth. Hind secured his best TT result with fifth place, while Brookes overtook Jordan on the final descent of the mountain for sixth. The top 10 was completed by Mike Browne (BPE/Russell Racing Yamaha), Hickman and Evans.
It was also a good day for fellow Manxmen Joe Yeardsley (16th), Ryan Cringle (17th) and Jamie Cringle (29th), who completed his first official lap at over 120 mph.
