From inception on a 15-mile course in 1907, the Isle of Man TT as it has been known for many years has progressed to a course of 37.73-miles that takes in everything the closed public roads can offer on this unique mountain course.
For Ballymoney rider, Michael Dunlop, the pressure was on from pundits for this year’s event, which took place over a two-week period. Sitting on a total number of wins that was just one shy of his late, great, Uncle Joey’s all-time record of 26 wins, could Michael match, or better a record which has stood for 24-years?
I think the world knew that Michael had the mental and physical ability to do it, but motorsport can be cruel and the strain on machine could well hamper any chances. Interestingly, it was a visor issue that stalled Dunlop from breaking the record, when he lost time having to stop to fix the helmet issue.
The race before this issue, Michael made history during the Monster Energy SuperSport Race 1 by equalling the all-time record of 26 wins. Dunlop had to come from behind after being third on the opening lap but took the lead on the run to Ballaugh on lap two and eventually took the victory – his 12th Supersport win – by 8.5 seconds from Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati) with early race leader Dean Harrison (Honda Racing) taking third.
It was Dunlop’s 40th TT podium which also equalled the figure held by Joey Dunlop.
It was the Metzeler Supertwin TT Race 1 where Michael Dunlop made history, taking his 27th victory to become the most successful rider in TT history. Dunlop led from start to finish to win by 20.4 seconds from Peter Hickman (Swan Racing Yamaha), in a race-record time of 56 minutes 15.993 seconds, with Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing Paton) claiming a maiden TT podium in third.
As a humble rider, Michael Dunlop isn’t one for chasing records, nor shouting about glory. He’s simply there to win races in a sport that he loves, but one can’t help but feel that a bit of pressure was off now that he’d become King of the Mountain.
As winning is the main intention, Dunlop continued in the only way he knows by asserting himself as the greatest of all time with his 28th win on the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 2 by just under four seconds, the MD Racing Yamaha rider taking his sixth successive Supersport win and 13th in total.
He saw off the challenge of Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) as Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati) completed the podium in third.
Michael Dunlop then went on to take his second win of the day at the Isle of Man TT Races when he won the Entire Cover Supertwin TT Race 2, victory on the MD Racing Paton giving him his 29th TT win.
Peter Hickman (Swan Racing Yamaha) took second with Mike Browne (Scott Racing Aprilia) completing the podium in third.
Stepping up to take the throne, Michael Dunlop reigns King of The Mountain and best TT rider of all time thanks to an impressive 4 TT wins this year. As Dunlop dominated the Supertwin and Supersport classes he received the overall winner trophies; the TT Supporters Club Trophy for overall Supersport winner and the Gavin Lee Trophy for overall supertwin winner.
Dunlop’s impressive pace in both classes also secured him the Joe Craig Trophy for fastest supertwin lap and the Formula II Cup for fastest supersport lap.
Despite not finding himself on the podium in a dramatic RST Superbike race, Dunlop’s charge on the final lap saw him set a new Superbike lap record of 135.970mph making him the recipient of this year’s John Williams Trophy for the fastest Superbike lap.
Michael Dunlop was also awarded this year’s Martin Finnegan Trophy once again. Named after the famous road racer, the exact replica of Finnegan’s Arai helmet, made in solid bronze weighs 3 stone and is awarded to the overall fastest Irish man.
The achievements of the team behind Dunlop were also recognised as they were the recipients of this year’s Solo Team Championship Award. This award recognises the best overall team performance across the solo classes based on championship points.
