TT 2026: Michael Dunlop celebrates 34th victory after ninth straight Supersport success
Michael Dunlop clinched his 34th Isle of Man TT victory with a ninth straight Supersport win yesterday.
The Ulster rider trailed Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison for much of the first lap before edging ahead by a tenth of a second as he slowed for his compulsory pit-stop in the reduced three-lap race.
However, the Northern Ireland rider settled into his groove on the Scars/MD Racing Ducati V2 and gradually pulled away, eventually beating Harrison by 24.470s and setting the fastest lap of the race at 127.672mph on his final lap.
Runner-Harrison said while he could match Dunlop’s pace on the lower part of the course, the Yorkshireman was “losing out big time” over the Mountain.
“On the bottom half I can hold my own but I’m over the moon with second place because I’ve only got 600 ccs,” said Harrison.
“We’ve got a big speed deficit and once I get to the Mountain that’s where I lose out big time, but through the bottom part of the track I can reel him through the corners, but there’s only so much risk you can take.
“Conditions weren’t too bad to be honest. They’re a little bit sketchy but lap one was exactly like Gary [Thompson, Clerk of the Course] said, so I had my wits about me, learned the conditions, which improved quite a lot as the race went on.”
Peter Hickman completed the top three on the Swan Racing by PHR Triumph, with Paul Jordan fourth on the Jackson Racing by Prosper2 Ducati.
Josh Brookes (Uggly&Co Suzuki) overhauled Dominic Herbertson (Stanley Stewart/KTS Racing Triumph) for fifth.
Damp patches were reported around the course and at Glen Helen on the first lap, Harrison led by 1.59s from Dunlop, with Mike Browne (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha) 4.236s further back in third, only three tenths ahead of Jordan.
Harrison’s advantage was up to 2.1s at Ballaugh over Dunlop, who was now 7.9s up on Browne. Jordan was one second behind Browne and narrowly holding fourth from Hickman by just 0.174s
Dunlop took the lead at the end of the lap as the riders slowed for their compulsory pit-stop and was 0.127s up on Harrison following an opening speed of 126.602mph.
Harrison’s first lap was 126.587mph, with the Yorkshireman 12.239s ahead of Jordan (125.159mph). Hickman was fourth on the Triumph, 5.931s adrift of Jordan.
Browne received a 30-second penalty for exceeding the pitlane speed limit, which dropped him to 13th. The Cork man finished the race in 10th.
Dunlop was beginning to up the ante on the Ducati and had extended his lead to four seconds over Harrison at Ballaugh on lap two.
Hickman was charging hard after a slow pit-stop and was now just under six seconds back on Jordan.
Heading into the third and final lap – the only flying lap in the race – Dunlop had a cushion of 12.556s over Harrison.
Magherafelt’s Jordan was coming under pressure for third from Hickman, who was 1.815s behind after the second lap.
With only the Mountain to negotiate, Dunlop’s lead was 21.833s over Harrison at Ramsey hairpin.
Hickman in third was now 9.5s ahead of Jordan, who was squeezed out of the podium places.
Dunlop had no issues on his final run home as he claimed his first win of the 2026 festival from Harrison and Hickman.
Brookes pipped Herbertson for fifth, with Jamie Coward (Rapid Racing Honda), Shaun Anderson (Standford Racing by ARD Suzuki) the top eight.