Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Isle of Man TT results: Supertwin agony for Michael Dunlop as he is denied 26th TT win

Michael Dunlop was denied a history-equalling Isle of Man TT win on Friday when his bike broke down while leading the Supertwin race.

The Ballymoney rider was over five seconds up on Mike Browne when his Paton machine suffered mechanical problems passing the Bungalow section on the opening lap.

It was an agonising end to Dunlop's race, and delays the 34-year-old's quest to equal his uncle Joey's all-time record of 26 wins.

Read more: Isle of Man TT live updates from Friday's Superstock and Supertwin races

Peter Hickman went on to win the Supertwins from Pierre Yves Bian and Josh Brookes, in a race which also saw one-time leader Browne suffer mechanical problems.

It saw Hickman record a double on the day after he also claimed the Superstocks in record-breaking fashion.

The Lincolnshire rider posted a new outright TT lap record of 136.358mph in the race, finishing 17 seconds ahead of Dunlop, with Dean Harrison completing the podium spots.

Dunlop still has one more chance to equal his legendary uncle Joey's record, in Saturday's blue riband Senior TT.

Two-time TT rider Cameron Donald believes Hickman's record-breaking pace will have thrown some doubts into the Ballymoney man's mind heading into the big finale.

The Australian said: "We all know what Michael is capable of. He broke the previous Superstock record today and went better than the first Stocker race earlier in the week.

"Whether he was riding harder, or the changes he made worked. But as a competitor, when you're beaten like that, you start thinking 'what am I going to have to do to reach that pace?'.

"He is definitely more comfortable on his Superbike, but it's bound to cast doubt on his mind. It is a tough one for him."

Donald added: "He was dominant in the Supersport class, and it is a psychological game between these two two big hitters heading into Saturday's Senior TT. And for Pete to respond with that...

"And you could see it on Michael's face. He broke the previous lap record himself.

"He is probably a little bit despondent, because he will be thinking 'what can I do to reply to that?'."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.