Tandragee 100: Michael Dunlop pips Mike Browne for Superbike pole with record qualifying lap on BMW
Michael Dunlop left it late to secure pole position in the Superbike class at the Around-A-Pound Tandragee 100 on Friday.
The Northern Ireland rider recorded the fastest ever qualifying lap around the 5.3-mile course in Co Armagh on his fifth and final lap in the session at 110.076mph, edging out Mike Browne (MB Racing/Russell Racing Honda) by 0.413s, who clocked 109.816mph.
Browne had earlier claimed pole for the Supersport races ahead of Dunlop, setting the quickest ever qualifying lap in the class on Alister Russell’s Yamaha.
Dunlop won the Open and Tandragee 100 Superbike races in 2025 for a double as he returned to the event for the first time since 2013.
The Ballymoney man also established a new outright lap record last summer at 111.584mph on his MD Racing BMW.
Dunlop, who increased his record tally of Isle of Man TT wins to 36 with a hat-trick this month, is again riding his BMW Superstock machine at Tandragee and put down a marker ahead of today’s races.
However, Browne – who only rode a Supersport machine at the event 12 months ago – has shown that he will be a threat to Dunlop and Michael Sweeney, who qualified third on his MJR BMW with a speed of 107.916mph, 3.497s down on Browne in second.
The Isle of Man’s Marcus Simpson maintained his impressive form from the Kells races, slotting into fourth on the time sheets on his Honda.
He was followed by fellow Manxman Conor Cummins (Conrod Racing BMW) and Ryan Whitehall from the Isle of Wight, who completed the top six on his Suzuki.
Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing Honda) and Banbridge man Shaun Anderson rounded out the top eight on the grid.
Anderson is riding for Coleraine-based team Scott Racing on an Aprilia.