until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Michael Dunlop has become the second most successful Isle of Man TT racer of all time, now behind only his uncle Joey in the winners’ rankings, by taking a dominant victory in the opening supertwin race of the 2023 festival.
He backed up his weekend successes in the supersport and superbike classes by coming home an impressive 26 seconds ahead of Mike Browne and Jamie Coward.
Going into the race as the clear favourite after unofficially breaking the lap record in the lightweight class on his first timed lap of practice week on his own Paton machine, Dunlop did as expected when the flag dropped and was able to immediately pull out a comfortable lead that he managed to the chequered flag without any concerns.
While the focus might have been on Dunlop’s record-breaking performance that edged him ahead of John McGuinness in the win tally standings onto 24 victories, the real drama of the race was happening behind him as Coward and Browne chopped and changed for second place.
After alternating the advantage multiple times, it was eventually Irishman Browne who came out on top to take his first ever TT podium, only two seconds ahead of Coward.
Behind them, there was another duel for fourth as FHO Racing superbike class team-mates Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes battled, with Hickman (a winner earlier in the day in superstocks) coming out ahead by 11s at the chequered flag.
Tomorrow features yet more action in the crowded 2023 TT schedule with supersport machines kicking off the action at 1045 before the sidecar outfits get their second race of the week in the afternoon.
