TT 2026: Michael Dunlop in record-breaking form around sun-kissed Mountain Course after topping Supersport and Sportbike times
Michael Dunlop was in record-breaking form on the second day of Isle of Man TT qualifying.
The Northern Ireland rider set an unofficial lap record in the Sportbike class from a standing start to lead the times on his Italian Paton machine in warm and sunny conditions around the Mountain Course.
The 33-time winner also set a new qualifying lap record in the Supersport session on the Scars by MD Racing Ducati V2 at 128.315mph.
Dunlop’s lap in the Sportbike session of 123.557mph bettered his 2025 lap record of 123.056mph on the S1-R machine.
Peter Hickman (Swan Racing/PHR Performance Triumph) was 8.9s down on Dunlop’s Supersport lap after the Burton-on-Trent man lapped at 127.245mph.
Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison was third quickest at 127.242mph with Australian Josh Brookes in fourth on the Uggly&Co Racing Suzuki (126.129mph).
Ulsterman Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing by Prosper2 Ducati) was fifth fastest at 125.897s ahead of Dominic Herbertson, who clocked 125.857mph on the KTS Macadam Factory Racing Triumph.
Ian Hutchinson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Ducati) and Jamie Coward (Rapid Racing Honda) were the top eight.
Cork’s Mike Browne was second fastest in the Sportbike session, 22.955s down on Dunlop’s unofficial record lap. Browne (121.03mph) is riding a Paton for Melbray/Laycock Racing.
Jordan was third fastest after doing a single lap on the Jackson Racing by Prsoper2 Aprilia at 120.475s, with Manxman Michael Evans fourth on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha.
Coward was fifth fastest riding a Paton for the Milenco by Padgett’s Racing team while Ireland’s Michael Sweeney completed the top six on his MSR Aprilia.
In the Sidecars, Manx brother Ryan and Callum Crowe topped the leaderboard in their Opul/Kel Properties LCR Honda, lapping at 118.468mph.
Check out our spectacular photo gallery from TT qualifying here