Dunlop impressive on Duncan Honda
MICHAEL Dunlop was third fastest on the Robinson Concrete Honda Fireblade during practice yesterday at the 64th Aon bikecare Skerries 100 Road Races in North County Dublin.
The 20-year-old has been offered the chance to ride ex-racer Uel Duncan’s machine at Skerries today in the Open and Grand Final races at the popular southern road race.
Dunlop claimed his maiden Isle of Man TT victory last month, taking the chequered flag in the second Supersport 600 race to become the youngest TT winner ever in the history of the event.
He blitzed the opposition at the TT against all the odds to revive the Dunlop dynasty on the Isle of Man and is now regarded as one of road racing’s brightest prospects.
Dunlop is also due to compete for Duncan’s Honda outfit at the Southern 100 at the Billown circuit next week.
The team’s regular rider, Gary Johnson, is attending this weekend’s US MotoGP race at Laguna Seca.
However, team principal Duncan reiterated his commitment to the talented Englishman and said he plans to retain his association with Johnson next season.
“We are still 110 per cent committed to Gary Johnson,” Duncan said.
“But if there was one rider you would want on your bikes from Ireland, it’s Michael Dunlop. He’s on top of his game right now.”
Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar – the reigning Irish Senior Road Racing Champion, was fastest at the 2.9-mile Skerries course last night on his KMR Kawasaki Superstock machine with a best lap at 106.81mph, ahead of Scotsman Keith Amor, with Dunlop third, John Burrows fourth and Ballymoney’s Adrian Archibald and William Dunlop completing the top six.
Falkirk’s Amor was fastest in the Supersport class, leading Michael Dunlop, Farquhar, William Dunlop and Irish short circuit regular Michael Sweeney on the Street Sweep Yamaha.
Wilson Craig Honda rider Amor said: “I was surprised to be quickest on the 600 because it’s not the fastest thing out there, but we’ve a bit to find with the Superbike yet.
“Hopefully the weather will be as good as it was for practice and we’ll have a good dry day and try and close the gap on the big bike in the races.”
Michael Dunlop was tops in the 125cc class at 95.95mph and the Co Antrim ace also headed the 250cc time-sheets at 100.01mph on the Wray Honda.
Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar led the way in the 650cc Super Twins practice session with a best lap at 96.173mph from John Burrows and Wayne Kirwan.
Roads close for racing today at 9.30am sharp.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
