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The Ulster rider recorded the quickest speed of practice week on the GSX-R750 SRAD machine from a standing start at 126.046mph (17m 57.608s), which was 5.429s ahead of Australian David Johnson on the Alasdair Cowan Racing Kawasaki ZXR750.

Johnson completed two laps, setting his fastest speed of 125.414mph on his second flying lap.

Rob Hodson (Greenall Racing Kawasaki), was third quickest at 124.701mph after two laps, with Craig Neve (Alasdair Cowan Racing Kawasaki) in fourth at 124.097mph.

Dean Harrison did a standing start lap of 123.896mph on the Key Racing Ducati 916, while Dominic Herbertson was sixth on the BHR Racing Kawasaki (123.106mph).

Herbertson was later involved in a crash at Lambfell and was described as conscious. The 32-year-old was taken to Noble’s Hospital by Airmed.

Republic of Ireland rider Brian McCormack slotted into seventh on the Greenall Racing Kawasaki, while the top ten was completed by Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing Suzuki), Paul Jordan (Mistral Kawasaki) and Derek Sheils (Greenall Racing Kawasaki).

Dunlop also headed the leaderboard in the Lightweight session at 116.535mph after a single lap on his 250cc Honda.

The 34-year-old was only 0.195s ahead of Welshman Ian Lougher on the LayLaw Racing Yamaha TZ250 (116.515mph), with Paul Jordan third quickest on the Faraldo Racing 450GP Yamaha at 112.927mph.

Adam McLean managed two laps on the LayLaw Racing Yamaha and was ninth quickest overall with a best speed of 110.098mph.

John McGuinness again set the pace in the Senior Classic class on the Winfield Paton at 110.574mph after two laps on the Italian machine.

Cork’s Mike Browne was second quickest, lapping at 109.265mph on the Peter Grantham Lodge Norton from a standing start, 14.721s down on McGuinness.

Shaun Anderson (Peter Beugger Paton) from Banbridge was third with a lap of 108.105mph.

In the Senior MGP class, England’s Daniel Ingham topped the times on his Brook Built Yamaha R6 at 119.775mph, 11 seconds up on Manx newcomer Marcus Simpson on JPS Racing Powered by Atherstone Yamaha R6.

Manx rider Joe Yeardsley impressed on the Team ILR Paton, with the event newcomer topping the times in the Junior MGP class at 117.373mph after two laps.

Yeardsley, from Port Erin, was 7.4s up on Spain’s Victor Lopez, also riding a Team ILR Paton, who did 115.99mph.

England’s Daniel Ingham was third fastest on the Castings Technology Aprilia 660 at 115.713mph.

In the Senior MGP class, Ingham topped the times on his Brook Built Yamaha R6 at 119.775mph, 11 seconds up on Manx newcomer Marcus Simpson on JPS Racing Powered by Atherstone Yamaha R6.

A contingency session was utilised on Thursday afternoon by the organisers after Wednesday evening’s schedule was lost due to poor weather.

Qualifying is also planned on Thursday evening, with roads closed from 6pm.

Final practice takes place on Friday followed by the Sure Lightweight race at 14:40 BST.

Manx Grand Prix: Michael Dunlop shines in sun-kissed qualifying with 126mph Classic Superbike lap | Dominic Herbertson taken to hospital after crash