Tandragee 100: Mike Browne shatters Supersport qualifying record to claim pole from Michael Dunlop

Browne was a double winner in the class at the Co Armagh meeting in 2025.

The Cork man set the fastest ever qualifying lap around the 5.3-mile course at 107.096mph on his fifth and final lap on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha in perfect conditions.

The late William Dunlop had previously set the fastest qualifying lap in 2015 at 106.5mph.

Isle of Man TT record holder Dunlop secured a front-row start in second place on his Ducati Panigale V2, lapping at 106.825mph, which was 0.455s down on Browne’s pole time.

The Ballymoney man had to start from the second group in the Supersport races last year after running into issues with the Italian machine in qualifying but had no such problems on Friday.

Dunlop holds the Supersport lap record at 109.276mph, which he set in the main race in 2025 after finishing as the runner-up on corrected time behind Browne.

Michael Sweeney was third fastest in qualifying on the EM Building Yamaha R6 at 105.155mph, 3.315s slower than pacesetter Browne.

Manx rider Marcus Simpson claimed fourth on the grid on his Triumph 765 with a speed of 104.704mph, while Shaun Anderson (Suzuki) and Conor Cummins (Madbros Racing Suzuki) were the top six.

Kevin Keyes – a Supersport winner at the Kells Road Races – was seventh quickest on the Daracore Racing Yamaha.

A non-championship Supersport race is scheduled over four laps following qualifying on Friday evening if time permits.