Michael Dunlop Storms to Historic 35th Isle of Man TT Victory in Dominant Supersport Display
TT Legend Extends Record-Breaking Career with Another Masterclass Around the Mountain Course
Michael Dunlop further strengthened his status as one of the greatest road racers of all time after securing a landmark 35th victory at the Isle of Man TT Races with a commanding performance in the second Monster Energy Supersport TT Race.
The Scars Racing Ducati rider once again showcased his unrivalled ability around the famous 37.73-mile Mountain Course, overcoming an early challenge from Dean Harrison before pulling away to claim victory by an impressive 26.1 seconds.
Dean Harrison produced another superb ride for Honda Racing UK to finish second, while Peter Hickman completed a familiar podium in third place aboard the Trooper Triumph by PHR Performance machine.
For Dunlop, the victory represented yet another chapter in an extraordinary TT career that continues to rewrite the record books. The win also marked his 54th TT podium finish and came in just his 97th start at the iconic event.
Dunlop Continues to Rewrite TT History
Another Milestone for the Most Successful Modern TT Rider
Few riders in the history of motorcycle racing have demonstrated the consistency, speed and determination that Michael Dunlop has displayed throughout his Isle of Man TT career.
Already the holder of numerous TT records, Dunlop entered the race seeking another victory following his success earlier in the week, and once again delivered when it mattered most.
The Northern Irishman has built a reputation for thriving under pressure, particularly in Supersport competition, where his combination of experience, race craft and outright pace often proves impossible to match.
Friday’s triumph further reinforced his dominance in the class and extended a remarkable winning run that has seen him become the benchmark rider around the Mountain Course.
Delayed Start Gives Way to Ideal Racing Conditions
Sunny Skies Welcome Riders Despite Strong Winds
After a one-hour delay, racing eventually got underway at 12:45pm under bright sunshine.
Although weather conditions were significantly improved compared to earlier in the week, riders still had to contend with strong winds in several exposed sections of the circuit, particularly across the mountain.
Despite the breeze, track conditions were among the best seen during the 2026 TT fortnight, allowing competitors to push hard from the outset.
The fast lap speeds recorded throughout the race reflected the confidence riders had in the improving conditions.
Harrison Makes the Perfect Start
Honda Rider Leads Early Stages Once Again
For the second Supersport race in succession, Dean Harrison emerged as Dunlop’s biggest threat.
The Honda Racing UK rider immediately established himself at the front of the field and was the first rider through Glen Helen on the opening lap.
At the first timing point, Harrison held a 1.4-second advantage over Dunlop and looked comfortable on the Honda machine.
Peter Hickman settled into third position, while Paul Jordan, Josh Brookes and Dominic Herbertson completed the early top six.
Mike Browne was notably absent from the early timing screens due to intermittent issues with his transponder, although he remained firmly in contention on the road.
As the race developed through Ballaugh and Ramsey, Harrison continued to increase his advantage.
By the Ramsey Hairpin, his lead had grown to 2.6 seconds as he produced some of the fastest sector times seen during the event.
Record Pace Around the Mountain Course
Harrison Sets Fastest Lap of the Race
The opening lap quickly developed into a high-speed battle between two of the TT’s elite competitors.
Harrison’s pace was exceptional throughout the lap, particularly across the mountain section between Ramsey and the Bungalow.
His opening lap average of 129.218mph was enough to establish a 3.6-second advantage over Dunlop heading into the mandatory pit stop.
That lap would ultimately stand as the fastest of the race.
Dunlop remained firmly within striking distance after recording an impressive lap of 128.768mph.
Behind the leading duo, Hickman continued to hold third while Paul Jordan delivered one of the strongest laps of his TT career, setting a personal-best Supersport lap at 127.164mph.
The pace throughout the field highlighted the quality of competition currently present in the Supersport category.
Pit Stop Changes Everything
Dunlop Gains Crucial Advantage in the Pits
Although Harrison had controlled the opening lap, the race changed dramatically during the mandatory pit stop.
Dunlop’s Scars Racing Ducati crew executed a near-perfect stop, completing their work significantly faster than Harrison’s team.
The difference amounted to almost five seconds and proved decisive.
When the riders reached Glen Helen on lap two, Dunlop had moved into the lead for the first time.
What had been a deficit of more than three seconds at the end of the opening lap had suddenly become a lead of 1.7 seconds.
It was a turning point from which Harrison never fully recovered.
The efficiency of TT pit stops is often overlooked, but in modern racing they can be just as important as outright speed on the course itself.
Dunlop Takes Complete Control
Race Leader Builds Advantage Sector by Sector
Once in front, Dunlop immediately began to increase the pressure.
The Ducati rider steadily extended his advantage through every sector of the course.
By Ballaugh, the lead had grown to four seconds.
At Ramsey, it stood at 7.6 seconds.
As the riders started their final lap, Dunlop had stretched his advantage to an imposing 16 seconds and looked firmly in control of proceedings.
His ability to maintain relentless pace while avoiding mistakes remains one of the defining features of his racing style.
While Harrison continued to ride at an impressive speed, he simply had no answer to Dunlop’s consistency over the latter stages of the race.
Hickman Secures Another TT Podium
Triumph Rider Delivers Consistent Performance
Behind the battle for victory, Peter Hickman once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most dependable riders at the TT.
The Triumph rider comfortably secured third position and gradually increased his advantage over the chasing group.
Although he lacked the outright pace of Dunlop and Harrison, Hickman’s consistency ensured another podium finish and valuable championship points.
As the race entered its closing stages, his third-place position was never seriously threatened.
The result added another strong finish to what has already been a productive TT campaign.
Dramatic Fight for Fourth Place
Browne Produces Stunning Late Charge
One of the most entertaining battles of the race unfolded behind the podium positions.
Paul Jordan spent much of the contest running in a comfortable fourth place and appeared set for another excellent result.
However, Mike Browne launched a remarkable final-lap charge.
Having overcome the earlier timing issues that obscured his progress, Browne steadily closed the gap and produced the fastest Supersport lap of his career, averaging more than 127mph around the Mountain Course.
Jordan encountered mechanical concerns on the final lap and was forced to nurse his machine home.
That opened the door for Browne, who snatched fourth position by just 0.9 seconds at the finish line.
It was a heartbreaking result for Jordan but an outstanding recovery for Browne.
Strong Performances Across the Field
Several Riders Record Career-Best Results
Josh Brookes finished sixth after another competitive ride, setting his fastest-ever Supersport lap around the TT course in the process.
Dominic Herbertson claimed seventh place ahead of Jamie Coward, Shaun Anderson and the experienced Ian Hutchinson, who rounded out the top ten.
New Zealand rider Mitch Rees secured the best TT result of his career in 11th place aboard the Milenco by Padgetts Honda.
French competitor Pierre-Yves Bian continued his impressive development around the Mountain Course with another strong finish in 14th position.
Finnish rider Erno Kostamo also enjoyed an excellent outing, finishing 16th and earning the distinction of being the highest-placed privateer rider in the race.
Meanwhile, local favourite Conor Cummins was forced to retire despite running strongly inside the top ten for much of the event.
Another Record Falls for Dunlop
35 TT Victories and Counting
Every year Michael Dunlop seems to find new ways to strengthen his already remarkable legacy.
His latest success not only delivered a 35th Isle of Man TT victory but also further widened the gap between himself and many of the sport’s all-time greats.
What makes Dunlop’s achievements particularly impressive is the era in which they have been achieved. Modern TT racing is arguably more competitive than ever, with factory-backed teams, advanced machinery and riders capable of lapping the Mountain Course at unprecedented speeds.
Yet Dunlop continues to find a way to come out on top.
Friday’s Supersport victory was another example of the qualities that have made him a TT legend: speed, precision, tactical awareness and an unrivalled ability to perform when the pressure is highest.
As the 2026 Isle of Man TT continues, the possibility of further victories remains very real.
For now, however, the story belongs to Michael Dunlop and another unforgettable performance that added yet another milestone to one of motorcycle racing’s greatest careers.
Michael Dunlop Claims Historic 36th TT Victory with Dominant Sportbike Race Success
TT Legend Continues Record-Breaking Week with Another Masterclass Around the Mountain Course
Michael Dunlop’s extraordinary 2026 Isle of Man TT campaign continued on Friday afternoon as the Northern Irish star secured his 36th TT victory by winning the inaugural Carole Nash Sportbike TT race.
Riding the Paton prepared by MD Racing, Dunlop produced another commanding performance around the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, breaking the class lap record and winning by an emphatic margin of more than 28 seconds.
The victory came less than two hours after he claimed his 35th TT success in the second Supersport race, underlining once again why he remains one of the greatest road racers in the history of the sport.
Behind Dunlop, a thrilling battle for second place unfolded throughout the two-lap contest. Mike Browne edged out Paul Jordan in a dramatic finish, with less than a second separating the pair at the chequered flag after nearly 76 miles of racing.
Another Record Falls as Dunlop Raises the Bar
New Sportbike Lap Record Highlights Dominant Performance
The introduction of the new Sportbike category has quickly become one of the most exciting developments at the Isle of Man TT, and Dunlop immediately stamped his authority on the class.
From the moment the race began, the MD Racing Paton rider looked untouchable.
Not only did he take victory, but he also established a new class lap record of 124.530mph, eclipsing previous benchmark times and further demonstrating the remarkable pace of the modern lightweight machinery.
The performance added yet another chapter to a week that has already seen Dunlop continue his relentless climb through the TT record books.
Having surpassed the long-standing all-time wins record in recent years, every victory now extends a legacy that many believe may never be matched.
Delayed Start Does Little to Disrupt Dunlop’s Rhythm
Weather Interruptions Continue Across TT Week
Like much of the 2026 Isle of Man TT, the Sportbike race was affected by weather-related scheduling changes.
After several days of delays, cancellations and revised timetables caused by unsettled conditions across the island, the race eventually got underway at 4:00pm.
Despite the delayed start, conditions around the Mountain Course were largely favourable, allowing riders to attack from the outset.
Dunlop wasted little time establishing himself at the front.
By the first timing point at Glen Helen, he already held a lead of 3.68 seconds over fellow Paton rider Mike Browne.
Paul Jordan slotted into third place aboard his Aprilia-powered machine, while Peter Hickman occupied fourth on the Yamaha.
Further behind, Joe Yeardsley, Jamie Coward and Michael Sweeney all made strong starts as the field settled into the opening lap.
Dunlop Begins to Pull Clear
Incredible Sector Times Leave Rivals Chasing
As the riders swept through the western section of the course, Dunlop immediately began producing times that no one else could match.
At Ballaugh Bridge, his lead had already doubled to almost eight seconds.
More impressively, he was setting sector times significantly faster than previous class benchmarks, highlighting the combination of rider confidence and machine performance.
By Ramsey, Dunlop’s advantage had stretched beyond 11 seconds.
The pace was relentless.
Observers around the circuit quickly realised that barring mechanical issues or mistakes, the race for victory was effectively over before the halfway stage.
Behind him, however, the battle for the remaining podium positions was becoming increasingly intense.
Browne and Jordan Locked in Fierce Battle
Podium Fight Provides Major Talking Point
While Dunlop disappeared into the distance, attention increasingly focused on the fight for second place.
Mike Browne initially held the advantage.
The Russell Racing rider has enjoyed one of the strongest TT campaigns of his career and looked determined to secure another podium finish.
However, Paul Jordan was never far behind.
The Jackson Racing rider continued the impressive form he has shown throughout the week, consistently matching Browne sector for sector.
The pair traded tenths of a second throughout the opening lap, with Jordan eventually moving ahead as they crossed the line to begin the final circuit.
At that stage, only 0.122 seconds separated the two riders.
It was shaping up to be one of the closest contests of the entire meeting.
Hickman Struggles to Match Leading Pace
Triumphs Earlier in the Week Not Repeated
Peter Hickman once again found himself battling near the front but was unable to challenge for the podium positions as strongly as he had hoped.
Throughout the race, spectators noted the experienced TT winner occasionally looking down at his machine, suggesting he may have been managing a technical issue or simply trying to understand a handling concern.
Although he remained comfortably in fourth position, Hickman gradually lost touch with the Browne-Jordan battle ahead.
Nevertheless, the result still represented another solid finish during what has been a challenging TT week for the PHR Performance rider.
Lap Record Falls as Dunlop Produces Stunning Finale
Second Lap Performance Seals Comfortable Victory
If there had been any lingering doubts about the outcome, Dunlop erased them during the final lap.
From the opening sectors, he continued to increase his advantage at an astonishing rate.
His pace from the Grandstand to Glen Helen alone gained another five seconds over his nearest rivals.
By the time he reached Ramsey for the final time, the race had become a demonstration of complete control.
The reward was a sensational final lap at 124.530mph, establishing a new Sportbike TT lap record and confirming his dominance in the category.
Crossing the finish line with a winning margin of 28.775 seconds, Dunlop once again showcased the precision, bravery and consistency that have made him the benchmark around the Mountain Course.
Browne Holds Off Jordan in Dramatic Finish
Less Than One Second Separates Pair After Two Laps
While victory was comfortably decided, the fight for second remained unresolved until the final sector.
Both Browne and Jordan produced the best Sportbike laps of their careers during the closing stages.
Each rider broke through the 123mph barrier for the first time, demonstrating just how competitive the new class has become.
Remarkably, both were also faster than the previous Supertwin lap record.
In the end, Browne’s final lap of 123.273mph proved just enough to secure second place.
Jordan’s impressive 123.185mph effort left him just 0.663 seconds short after two laps of intense competition.
The tiny margin reflected the quality of racing throughout the event and provided one of the closest podium battles seen all week.
Strong Performances Throughout the Field
Career-Best Results for Several Riders
Beyond the podium positions, numerous riders enjoyed memorable performances.
Jamie Coward continued another consistent TT campaign by taking fifth place, while Joe Yeardsley secured a career-best sixth-place finish.
Dominic Herbertson produced another solid ride to claim seventh, ahead of Barry Furber, Michal Dokoupil and Michael Sweeney.
Further down the order, AJ Venter narrowly missed out on a top-ten finish in 11th.
Shaun Anderson continued gaining valuable experience aboard the CF Moto machine, while newcomer Rhys Stephenson impressed many observers with a final lap exceeding 114mph on his way to 24th place.
The depth of competition throughout the Sportbike field highlighted the growing popularity and competitiveness of the class.
Historic Milestone for Mark Parrett
Veteran Joins Exclusive Century Club
Away from the battle at the front, another significant achievement was celebrated during the race.
Mark Parrett completed his 100th Isle of Man TT start, becoming only the sixth rider in the event’s history to reach the landmark.
The achievement places him alongside some of the most respected names ever to compete at the TT, including David Madsen-Mygdal, Ian Lougher, Jim Hodson, John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop.
In an event where simply making a single TT start represents a major accomplishment, reaching 100 starts is a testament to remarkable dedication, longevity and commitment to road racing.
Dunlop’s Remarkable TT Legacy Continues to Grow
36 Victories and Counting for Road Racing’s Modern Master
With victories in both the Supersport and Sportbike races on the same day, Michael Dunlop once again demonstrated why he remains the dominant force in modern road racing.
His 36th TT victory extends an already unparalleled record and adds further weight to his status as one of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen.
The combination of speed, adaptability and experience continues to set him apart from his rivals, regardless of machine or category.
As TT 2026 enters its final stages, Dunlop’s remarkable achievements have once again become one of the defining stories of the event.
And judging by his current form, few would bet against the legendary Northern Irishman adding even more victories to his astonishing tally in the years ahead.
