Ulsterman smashes lap and race records to claim fifth Formula One Classic TT win
Michael Dunlop MBE produced a stunning display of speed around the Isle of Man Mountain Course on Sunday afternoon, setting new lap and race records on his way to a historic victory in the Formula One Classic TT.
The Team Classic Suzuki rider fought back from an early deficit to overhaul Mike Browne during the second lap before producing an extraordinary final circuit at 129.078mph.
Dunlop eventually crossed the finish line 20.5 seconds clear of Jamie Coward, who produced a superb late charge to claim second place for Greenall Racing Kawasaki.
Mike Browne completed the podium for the Electric Van Company Kawasaki after leading the opening lap and remaining in contention throughout the three-lap contest.
Dunlop’s victory was his fifth Formula One Classic TT win, adding another major achievement to an already remarkable record around the Mountain Course.
More importantly, the win came with a new lap record and a new race record, further cementing Dunlop’s status as one of the most successful riders ever to compete on the Isle of Man.
Browne Takes Early Control
Electric Van Company Kawasaki rider leads Dunlop through the opening lap
The Formula One Classic TT was scheduled to get underway at 1.30pm, but the race eventually started at 1.45pm, with a mixture of grey cloud and sunshine surrounding the Mountain Course.
As the field disappeared onto the 37.73-mile course, it was Browne who immediately established himself at the front.
The Kawasaki rider reached Glen Helen with a 2.2-second advantage over Dunlop, while Dominic Herbertson was another 2.7 seconds behind in third.
Jamie Coward, Nathan Harrison and David Johnson completed the opening group.
Although Dunlop was initially forced to settle for second, there was little to suggest the race leader would enjoy an easy afternoon.
The pace at the front was already extremely high, with Dunlop keeping Browne firmly within striking distance.
Browne Extends Advantage at Ballaugh
Dunlop remains within reach as Coward moves into third
Browne continued to set the pace through the opening sector and increased his advantage over Dunlop to 3.3 seconds by Ballaugh.
Coward had meanwhile moved into third, although the battle behind the leading pair remained incredibly close.
Third through sixth were separated by only around two seconds, with Coward, Herbertson, Harrison and Johnson all fighting for position.
The speeds were already remarkable.
Browne recorded an impressive 175.492mph through the Sulby speed trap, highlighting the incredible performance of the Classic TT machinery around the Mountain Course.
Further back, however, the first retirements had already occurred.
Shaun Anderson was forced out at Laurel Bank, while French rider Amalric Blanc also ended his race early after stopping at Greeba Castle.
Browne Leads at the End of Lap One
Dunlop sits four seconds behind heading into the pits
Browne continued to hold the advantage through Ramsey Hairpin, where his lead over Dunlop increased slightly to 3.9 seconds.
Nathan Harrison moved ahead of Herbertson to take fourth, while Coward remained firmly established in third.
At the completion of the opening lap, Browne came into the pits holding the lead.
His first lap average speed of 127.217mph was enough to put him four seconds ahead of Dunlop, who had circulated at 126.739mph.
Coward completed the first lap at 126.190mph, just one second ahead of Harrison.
Herbertson and Johnson remained firmly in the battle, while Brian McCormack, Conor Cummins, Michael Sweeney and Julian Trummer completed the top ten.
There was disappointment for Peter Hickman, however, with the WizNorton rider retiring at the pits.
Dunlop Turns the Race Around
Faster pit stop puts Team Classic Suzuki rider in front
The compulsory pit stop proved to be a decisive moment.
Dunlop’s crew completed the stop quicker than Browne’s, allowing the Ulsterman to completely reverse the four-second deficit he had carried into the pits.
By Glen Helen on the second lap, Dunlop had transformed his position and was now 2.7 seconds ahead of Browne.
Coward remained within four seconds of the leaders in third, while Harrison was a similar distance further back.
The race had suddenly changed complexion.
Browne had controlled the opening lap, but Dunlop now had clear track ahead of him and began to stretch his advantage.
Dunlop Opens Up a Five-Second Lead
Browne and Coward remain locked in the fight
By Ballaugh on the second lap, Dunlop’s advantage had grown to 5.2 seconds.
Browne and Coward were producing almost identical sector times, keeping the battle for second extremely close.
While Dunlop began to pull clear, positions throughout the field continued to change.
Conor Cummins lost significant time and dropped from seventh to 11th, while other riders continued to fight over the remaining top-ten positions.
At the front, however, Dunlop was beginning to demonstrate the pace that would ultimately decide the race.
Dunlop Builds a Nine-Second Advantage
Team Classic Suzuki rider takes control at Ramsey
Dunlop continued to push hard through the second lap.
By Ramsey Hairpin, his advantage over Browne had increased to 9.2 seconds.
Coward was also closing in on Browne and had reduced the gap between the two Kawasaki riders to just 3.4 seconds.
Behind them, Johnson was involved in a tight battle with Herbertson, with only around two seconds separating the pair.
Cummins managed to recover one position, moving back into tenth at the expense of Joe Yeardsley.
Dunlop, meanwhile, was beginning to look increasingly difficult to catch.
Dunlop Ends Lap Two With Another Record Pace
124.734mph lap gives the Ulsterman a commanding advantage
Dunlop completed the second lap at an average speed of 124.734mph, giving him a 14.3-second advantage heading into the final circuit.
Browne remained second on the road, holding a 3.2-second advantage over Coward.
Harrison and Johnson occupied fourth and fifth, while McCormack had moved into sixth after Herbertson was forced to retire at the Nook.
The race had already produced plenty of drama, but the final lap was set to deliver even more.
Dunlop had the lead.
Coward was closing on Browne.
And with the Mountain Course opening up in front of them, anything could still happen.
Dunlop Launches Final-Lap Attack
Lead stretches beyond 19 seconds at Glen Helen
Dunlop immediately turned up the pace on the final lap.
By the time he reached Glen Helen for the final time, his advantage had increased to 19.1 seconds over Browne.
The fight for second, however, was becoming increasingly intense.
Coward had reduced the gap to Browne to just 1.1 seconds, bringing the Greenall Racing Kawasaki firmly into contention for the runner-up position.
Dunlop was now disappearing into the distance, while Coward and Browne were locked in their own battle behind him.
Coward Takes Second at Ballaugh
Greenall Racing rider completes superb late charge
Coward’s pressure finally paid off.
By Ballaugh on the final lap, the Greenall Racing Kawasaki rider had moved ahead of Browne and taken second place.
He immediately began to establish a small advantage, moving 2.4 seconds clear of his fellow Kawasaki rider.
It was a significant move for Coward, who had remained in the leading group from the start and had steadily built his challenge as the race progressed.
But while the battle for second was changing, there was more drama elsewhere.
Final-Lap Drama Hits McCormack and Cummins
Two Greenall Racing riders suffer misfortune
Brian McCormack’s strong ride came to an unfortunate end at Greeba Castle.
The Greenall Racing Kawasaki rider crashed during the final lap and was reported to be conscious, with a possible leg injury.
Conor Cummins also suffered late disappointment, retiring at Barregarrow.
Their retirements dramatically altered the lower positions and provided another reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Mountain Course.
The Formula One Classic TT was proving to be a race where fortunes could change within seconds.
Dunlop Smashes the Lap Record
Incredible 129.078mph final lap rewrites the record books
Dunlop saved the best until last.
The Team Classic Suzuki rider completed the final lap at a breathtaking 129.078mph, smashing Bruce Anstey’s previous Formula One Classic TT lap record of 127.496mph.
The improvement was enormous.
Dunlop went approximately 13 seconds quicker than Anstey’s previous benchmark, producing one of the fastest laps ever recorded in the Classic TT.
It was a remarkable display of speed from the Ulsterman and underlined just how hard he was pushing despite already holding a substantial advantage.
Dunlop crossed the finish line to claim victory by 20.5 seconds.
Fifth Formula One Classic TT Victory for Dunlop
Historic win adds another chapter to remarkable Mountain Course record
The victory was Dunlop’s fifth Formula One Classic TT win since 2013.
It was also achieved in record-breaking fashion, with the new lap record and race record making the achievement even more significant.
Dunlop’s winning performance demonstrated the combination of outright speed, consistency and race management required to succeed around the Mountain Course.
After starting the race behind Browne, he used the pit stop to seize control before steadily increasing his advantage.
Then, when it mattered most, he produced a sensational final lap.
Coward Claims Second After Late Charge
128.712mph final lap secures runner-up position
Jamie Coward completed an outstanding ride to finish second.
The Greenall Racing Kawasaki rider had circulated at 128.712mph on his final lap, another extraordinary speed that demonstrated the level of competition at the front.
Coward’s late move on Browne ensured he finished the race as Dunlop’s closest challenger.
The 20.5-second gap to the winner may look substantial on paper, but Coward had spent much of the race battling for position and had to work hard to secure second.
His performance was another impressive result for Greenall Racing.
Browne Holds On for the Podium
Opening-lap leader finishes third
After leading the race for the majority of the opening lap, Mike Browne ultimately had to settle for third.
The Electric Van Company Kawasaki rider remained in the hunt throughout and resisted the pressure from Harrison during the closing stages.
Browne’s final lap average speed of 127.477mph was itself faster than the previous lap record of 127.496mph by only a tiny margin, demonstrating just how competitive the front of the field had become.
He eventually finished 8.8 seconds ahead of Harrison, securing the final podium position.
Harrison Finishes Fourth
Nathan Harrison produces strong ride in leading group
Nathan Harrison brought the Greenall Racing Kawasaki home in fourth.
Harrison was involved in the leading battle throughout the race and spent much of the opening lap fighting with Herbertson and Coward for position.
His final lap average of 127.692mph was another indication of the pace at the front, with the first four finishers all recording laps faster than the previous Formula One Classic TT lap record.
It was a strong performance from Harrison despite narrowly missing out on the podium.
Johnson Completes the Top Five
Steadplan Racing rider finishes ahead of Sweeney
David Johnson secured fifth place for Steadplan Racing Kawasaki.
Johnson remained competitive throughout the three-lap contest and finished ahead of Michael Sweeney, who produced a strong ride to take sixth.
Sweeney’s result represented another solid performance in a race where several experienced riders failed to reach the chequered flag.
Julian Trummer and Joe Yeardsley followed in seventh and eighth respectively.
Paul Williams and Barry Furber completed the top ten.
Rob Hodson Among the Final-Lap Retirements
Former Formula One Classic TT winner Rob Hodson was another rider to suffer disappointment during the final lap.
The CK Racing Ducati rider had been among the experienced competitors expected to challenge for a strong result, but his race ended before the chequered flag.
His retirement added to a growing list of riders who were unable to complete the full three laps.
Formula One Classic TT Produces Extraordinary Speeds
The 2026 Formula One Classic TT demonstrated just how fast modern Classic TT machinery can be around the Mountain Course.
Dunlop’s 129.078mph final lap was the headline figure, but the pace behind him was equally impressive.
Coward circulated at 128.712mph, Harrison at 127.692mph and Browne at 127.477mph.
The fact that three of the first four riders exceeded the previous lap record illustrates the extraordinary level of competition.
It also demonstrates how quickly the benchmark can move when riders with Dunlop’s experience are given the opportunity to push these machines to their limits.
Another Chapter in Dunlop’s Isle of Man Story
Michael Dunlop’s latest Classic TT victory adds to an extraordinary career around the Mountain Course.
The Ulsterman has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to adapt to different motorcycles and classes, and his Formula One Classic TT record is another example of that versatility.
This victory was not simply a case of leading from the start.
Browne controlled the opening lap and appeared to have the advantage, but Dunlop and his Team Classic Suzuki crew responded during the pit stop.
Once in front, Dunlop gradually increased his advantage before producing the fastest lap of the race.
It was a complete performance.
A Race Full of Drama
The Formula One Classic TT was never short of action.
Browne led the opening lap.
Dunlop then seized control after the pit stops.
Coward fought his way into second during the final lap.
Herbertson retired at the Nook.
McCormack crashed at Greeba Castle.
Cummins retired at Barregarrow.
Hickman was an early retirement at the pits.
And through all of it, Dunlop remained focused at the front.
The result was a race that delivered both the spectacle of historic machinery and the intensity of modern road racing.
Dunlop’s Record-Breaking Classic TT Victory
Michael Dunlop’s 2026 Formula One Classic TT victory will go down as one of the standout performances of the meeting.
The Team Classic Suzuki rider overcame an early four-second deficit, used a quicker pit stop to take control and then pulled further away from his rivals throughout the second lap.
His final 129.078mph lap was the defining moment.
Not only did Dunlop claim his fifth Formula One Classic TT victory, but he also demolished Bruce Anstey’s long-standing lap record and set a new benchmark for future competitors.
With Jamie Coward finishing second and Mike Browne completing the podium, the Formula One Classic TT once again delivered a spectacular contest around the world’s most famous road racing circuit.
Michael Dunlop had started the afternoon chasing victory. He finished it rewriting the record books.
Photos: Isle of Man TT Races
