Dunlop dominates Lightweight contest as Loughlin sets new 400cc lap record in dramatic Ultra-Lightweight battle
Michael Dunlop MBE completed a remarkable second victory of the day at the 2026 Classic TT, dominating the Lightweight Classic TT race around the Isle of Man Mountain Course.
The Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda rider overcame an intense opening-lap battle with Mike Browne before pulling decisively clear after the compulsory pit stop. Dunlop eventually crossed the finish line more than three minutes ahead of Michael Sweeney, with Rhys Hardisty completing the podium.
Dunlop’s victory was made even more impressive by his pace on the final lap. The Ulsterman circulated at an incredible 119.081mph, securing his second consecutive Lightweight Classic TT victory.
While Dunlop controlled the Lightweight race, the concurrently run Ultra-Lightweight contest produced its own piece of history.
Joe Loughlin claimed victory on the G2 Technical Services Ltd Kawasaki after producing a sensational 113.524mph final lap, setting the fastest-ever lap around the Mountain Course by a 400cc motorcycle.
Loughlin’s record-breaking ride finally eclipsed Jim Moodie’s long-standing 112.40mph benchmark, which had stood since 1993.
The race also produced a thrilling late battle with Owen Monaghan, who had led the Ultra-Lightweight class during the second lap before Loughlin fought back to reclaim the advantage.
Dunlop Faces Early Pressure From Browne
Laycock Racing rider refuses to let the favourite escape
The Lightweight Classic TT race immediately developed into a battle between two of the leading riders.
Dunlop made the strongest start, reaching Glen Helen with a two-second advantage over Mike Browne on the Laycock Racing Yamaha.
Michael Sweeney was already ten seconds behind the race leader in third, while Paul Jordan was only half a second further back in fourth.
Chris Moore and Rhys Hardisty completed the opening six.
Dunlop had entered the race as the rider to beat following his performances throughout the Classic TT, but Browne’s early pace suggested the Honda rider would not have an easy afternoon.
The gap at the front remained relatively small as the field headed towards Ballaugh.
Browne Closes In at Ramsey
Dunlop’s advantage reduced to just 1.7 seconds
Dunlop’s lead had increased slightly to 3.4 seconds by Ballaugh, but Browne responded strongly on the run towards Ramsey.
At the same time, Sweeney began to establish himself in third, opening three seconds over Paul Jordan.
Hardisty also moved ahead of Moore to claim fifth.
The race then suffered its first major setback when Jordan retired at Ballaugh Bridge, removing one of the potential contenders from the leading group.
By the time the riders reached the Bungalow, Browne had reduced Dunlop’s advantage to just 1.7 seconds.
The fight at the front was now firmly alive.
Dunlop and Browne Almost Level After Lap One
Two Yamahas and a Honda produce extraordinary opening pace
Dunlop produced the fastest opening lap of the Lightweight race at 118.336mph.
However, Browne was barely slower.
The Laycock Racing rider completed the opening circuit at 118.284mph, meaning he had reduced Dunlop’s advantage to just half a second as the pair entered the compulsory pit stops.
It was a remarkable opening lap from both riders and demonstrated how competitive the Lightweight Classic TT machinery had become.
Sweeney remained third at 113.780mph, but was already more than 12 seconds clear of fourth-placed Moore.
Hardisty and Ryan Whitehall completed the top six.
Michael Grigson was seventh, while Dan Sayle’s race ended when he retired in the pits.
Loughlin Leads the Ultra-Lightweight Race
110mph opening lap gives Kawasaki rider early advantage
The Ultra-Lightweight contest was producing its own battle at the front.
Joe Loughlin immediately established control on the G2 Technical Services Ltd Kawasaki.
His opening lap of 110.094mph gave him a 9.3-second advantage over Paul Cassidy.
Owen Monaghan was only 1.7 seconds behind Cassidy in third, with Harley Rushton, Radley Hughes and Charlie Hopkins completing the leading group.
Tom Snow was the leading 125cc rider in eighth.
Loughlin appeared to have the advantage heading into the first pit stop, but the race would soon take an unexpected turn.
Dunlop’s Faster Pit Stop Changes Everything
Honda rider transforms half-second deficit into 13-second lead
The compulsory pit stop proved decisive in the Lightweight battle.
Dunlop’s stop was significantly quicker than Browne’s, allowing the Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda rider to return to the Mountain Course with a huge advantage.
By Glen Helen on the second lap, Dunlop was 13.1 seconds ahead of Browne.
The complexion of the race had changed almost instantly.
Browne had spent the entire opening lap sitting within striking distance of Dunlop, but the pit stop had given the Ulsterman clear air.
Further back, Moore moved ahead of Sweeney for third, although the gap between them was just 0.4 seconds.
Monaghan Takes Control of the Ultra-Lightweights
Larger fuel tank gives Kawasaki rider a major advantage
The Ultra-Lightweight race also changed dramatically during the pit sequence.
Owen Monaghan emerged as the leader when the riders reached Glen Helen for the second time.
Monaghan had been able to avoid taking on fuel during his pit stop thanks to a larger fuel tank fitted to his Kawasaki.
That strategy gave him a significant advantage and allowed him to move ahead of Loughlin.
At Glen Helen, Monaghan’s lead stood at 13 seconds.
The question now was whether Loughlin would be able to recover the lost ground before the end of the race.
Dunlop Extends His Advantage at Ballaugh
Race leader begins to pull clear
Dunlop wasted little time extending his advantage on the second lap.
By Ballaugh, the gap over Browne had increased by another 1.6 seconds.
Sweeney had meanwhile moved back ahead of Moore to reclaim third place.
In the Ultra-Lightweight contest, Loughlin was beginning to fight back.
He took 1.6 seconds out of Monaghan’s advantage between Glen Helen and Ballaugh, reducing the gap to 11.3 seconds.
The race was beginning to develop into two contrasting battles.
Dunlop was steadily pulling away in the Lightweight class, while Loughlin was hunting down Monaghan in the Ultra-Lightweights.
Browne’s Race Ends at the Mountain Mile
Dunlop’s advantage suddenly increases to almost two minutes
The biggest turning point of the Lightweight race came on the second lap.
Dunlop had extended his advantage over Browne to 16.6 seconds at Ramsey, but the Laycock Racing rider failed to reach the Bungalow.
Browne was later recorded as a retirement at the Mountain Mile.
His withdrawal completely changed the race.
Sweeney was promoted into second and suddenly found himself 1 minute 49 seconds behind Dunlop.
With the main challenger gone, the race had effectively become Dunlop’s to lose.
Dunlop Opens a Two-Minute Lead
115.510mph second lap keeps Honda rider firmly in control
Dunlop completed his second lap at an average speed of 115.510mph.
His advantage over Sweeney had grown to two minutes as he began the final circuit.
Moore, Hardisty, Whitehall and Grigson occupied the remaining top-six positions.
There was now no realistic threat to Dunlop at the front unless something unexpected happened during the final lap.
The focus therefore shifted towards the battle for the remaining podium positions.
Loughlin Continues His Charge
Ultra-Lightweight leader’s advantage rapidly disappears
The Ultra-Lightweight contest remained considerably more competitive.
As Loughlin continued to chase Monaghan around the Mountain Course, the Kawasaki rider steadily reduced the deficit.
By Ramsey Hairpin on the second lap, Monaghan’s advantage had fallen to just 8.8 seconds.
The gap was disappearing rapidly.
By the time the two riders started their final lap, only 3.2 seconds separated them.
Loughlin had transformed what had looked like a comfortable Monaghan victory into a genuine final-lap showdown.
Final-Lap Drama Changes Both Races
Loughlin retakes lead as Dunlop cruises towards victory
Dunlop continued to dominate the Lightweight race.
At Glen Helen on the final lap, the Honda rider’s advantage over Sweeney stood at an extraordinary 2 minutes 16 seconds.
Behind him, however, the podium order changed again.
Chris Moore retired at Union Mills, promoting Rhys Hardisty into third.
The Welsh rider was now on course for his first Classic TT podium since 2015.
In the Ultra-Lightweight class, Loughlin made his decisive move.
The Kawasaki rider moved back ahead of Monaghan, turning a 3.2-second deficit into a 2.4-second advantage.
The momentum had completely shifted.
Dunlop Produces a Sensational 119mph Final Lap
Second consecutive Lightweight Classic TT victory secured
Michael Dunlop saved another spectacular performance for the final lap.
The Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda rider completed the final circuit at 119.081mph, producing the fastest lap of the race.
He crossed the finish line with a commanding 3 minutes 3 seconds advantage over Sweeney.
It was Dunlop’s second consecutive Lightweight Classic TT victory and another dominant performance around the Mountain Course.
The result also underlined his remarkable ability to control races on different types of machinery.
After being pushed hard by Browne during the opening lap, Dunlop used the pit stop to establish control before steadily disappearing from the opposition.
Sweeney Takes Second as Hardisty Returns to the Podium
Welshman celebrates first Classic TT podium since 2015
Michael Sweeney brought the IMS/CSC Racing Yamaha home in second.
The Irish rider had spent much of the race running behind Dunlop and Browne but inherited a valuable runner-up position following Browne’s retirement.
Rhys Hardisty completed the podium in third.
The result was particularly significant for Hardisty, who returned to a Classic TT podium for the first time since 2015.
It was a well-earned result after Hardisty had steadily worked his way forward throughout the race.
Grigson Leads the Remaining Finishers
Only eight Lightweight riders reach the chequered flag
Michael Grigson finished fourth after a strong ride around the Mountain Course.
Will Loder followed in fifth, with Jeffrey Vromant and Steve Bayley also completing the race.
Only eight Lightweight competitors were classified as finishers, highlighting the demands placed on both riders and machinery during the Classic TT.
The retirements of Browne, Moore and several other leading competitors dramatically altered the final classification.
Loughlin Sets New 400cc Mountain Course Record
113.524mph lap finally beats Jim Moodie’s 1993 benchmark
The Ultra-Lightweight race produced one of the most significant records of the 2026 Classic TT.
Joe Loughlin completed his final lap at a staggering 113.524mph.
That became the fastest-ever lap around the Mountain Course by a 400cc motorcycle, finally surpassing Jim Moodie’s record of 112.40mph, set back in 1993.
Moodie’s mark had remained a benchmark for more than three decades.
Loughlin’s achievement therefore represented much more than simply winning a Classic TT race.
He had rewritten a piece of Isle of Man racing history.
Loughlin Wins After Late Fightback
Kawasaki rider finishes 22.3 seconds ahead of Monaghan
Loughlin’s record-breaking final lap also allowed him to establish a significant winning margin.
He crossed the finish line 22.3 seconds ahead of Owen Monaghan, who had led for much of the second lap.
Monaghan also broke the 111mph barrier during the race and was rewarded with a superb second-place finish.
Paul Cassidy completed the podium in third for Green Racing/Island Fuels Yamaha.
The result was a fitting reward for Loughlin after he had been forced to chase down Monaghan following the pit stop.
Cassidy Secures Third in Ultra-Lightweights
Yamaha rider completes the podium
Paul Cassidy maintained a strong pace throughout the race and eventually secured third.
He had started the contest near the sharp end and remained involved in the leading battle as the race developed.
His podium finish also demonstrated the competitiveness of the Ultra-Lightweight class, where strategy and fuel management played a major role.
The battle between Loughlin and Monaghan ultimately grabbed the headlines, but Cassidy’s consistent performance ensured he remained comfortably inside the leading group.
Rushton Battles to Finish After Late Problem
IMS/CSC Racing rider forced to push motorcycle
Harley Rushton endured a difficult conclusion to the Ultra-Lightweight race.
The Yamaha rider was forced to push his machine in from Governor’s Dip, eventually being classified in 14th position.
It was a disappointing ending to a race in which Rushton had initially run inside the top six.
The incident once again highlighted how demanding the final stages of a Classic TT race can be, with mechanical problems capable of transforming a rider’s result within moments.
Snow Leads the 125cc Competitors
103.032mph lap secures class honours
Tom Snow produced a strong performance to finish as the leading 125cc rider.
Snow recorded a final-lap speed of 103.032mph, an impressive figure given the considerably smaller capacity of the machine.
His result added another interesting dimension to the Ultra-Lightweight race, which featured both 400cc machinery and smaller-capacity motorcycles competing across the class.
Steven Price, Tom Snow and Brandon Brinded completed the leading group behind the podium finishers.
Two Different Races, Two Historic Victories
The Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight Classic TT races produced very different stories, but both delivered memorable performances.
Dunlop was challenged by Browne during the opening lap before his faster pit stop changed the race.
Once Browne retired, the Milenco by Padgetts Honda rider was able to control the contest and ultimately win by more than three minutes.
Loughlin, meanwhile, had to fight for his victory.
After losing the lead to Monaghan following the pit stops, he gradually closed the gap before retaking first place on the final lap.
His reward was not only victory but a new 400cc lap record.
Dunlop Continues His Classic TT Dominance
Michael Dunlop’s second consecutive Lightweight Classic TT victory adds another impressive chapter to his already outstanding record around the Isle of Man Mountain Course.
His 119.081mph final lap demonstrated that, even after building a huge advantage, the Ulsterman was still prepared to push hard until the chequered flag.
The victory also continued the impressive form of the Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda operation.
Dunlop’s ability to extract extraordinary speed from the Lightweight machinery once again proved decisive.
Loughlin Rewrites the Record Books
For Joe Loughlin, the Ultra-Lightweight victory could prove to be one of the most significant achievements of his Classic TT career.
The 400cc lap record had survived since 1993, but Loughlin finally pushed the benchmark beyond 113mph.
His 113.524mph final lap not only delivered victory but established a new piece of Mountain Course history.
With Monaghan second and Cassidy third, the Ultra-Lightweight race provided a dramatic conclusion to an afternoon packed with action.
Classic TT Delivers Another Spectacular Day
The 2026 Classic TT once again demonstrated why racing around the Isle of Man remains such a unique challenge.
The Mountain Course demands speed, precision, mechanical reliability and an ability to respond instantly when circumstances change.
Dunlop demonstrated all four qualities in the Lightweight race.
Loughlin showed determination and outright pace in the Ultra-Lightweight contest.
From Browne’s early challenge and subsequent retirement to Monaghan’s fuel strategy and Loughlin’s record-breaking final lap, both races provided plenty of drama.
The result was an afternoon in which two riders not only claimed victories but also added their names to the Classic TT record books.
Michael Dunlop dominated the Lightweight Classic TT for a second straight year. Joe Loughlin, meanwhile, turned the Ultra-Lightweight race into a piece of Isle of Man history with a record-breaking 113.524mph lap.
Photos: Isle of Man TT Races
