Michael Dunlop made history on the opening weekend of the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races, winning the Supersport TT to move to 26 career TT wins and join his late uncle Joey at the top of the all-time records.
The 35-year-old rider from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland gave a masterclass in the four-lap outing, riding the trusty Yamaha R6 upon which he won both of last year’s races after making a last minute switch from Triumph. He rode the British triple in the first practice session, but soon decided to park it up and stick to what he knows best.
After the race Dunlop admitted he was relieved to have won early in the week. There was much expectation coming to TT 2024, and he told assembled reporters that he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders after equalling the record. He said: “Equalling Joey’s record has been playing in my mind all week but we’ve done it now. Joey and I rode in different times but to be the best is special. The level is getting really high at the TT these days, with a lot of riders coming from British Superbikes, but whatever happens next this is a great achievement.”
What happened next was a dramatic Superbike TT, where Dunlop looked nailed on to surpass Joey’s record as they went in for their second round of pitstops in the six-lap race. Riding his Honda Fireblade, Dunlop had a 25 second lead over BMW mounted Davey Todd, who had finished second in the supersport outing, but both riders had a nightmare in the pits to set up a tense and spectacular finale to a memorable race.
Dunlop’s pitcrew fudged changing the visor on his crash helmet and it came detached as he left the pits. The rider was forced to park at the side of the road, remove his helmet and fix it himself – losing around a minute in the process.
Meanwhile there was heartache for Todd, chasing his first TT win, as his Milwaukee BMW failed to fire up. He was able to get on his way but dropped around 15 seconds in the process. That left Honda’s Dean Harrison and BMW mounted Peter Hickman battling for the lead. Todd was able to overcome Harrison for second, with Hicky admitting his 14th TT win was somewhat fortuitous. “I was gifted it a little bit,” he said. “But you need luck at the TT and there’s days when I’ve lost when luck’s gone against us. I didn’t quite have the speed today but it’s an endurance race and to finish first, first you have to finish.” Hickman’s win sees him equal the great Mike Hailwood’s tally of wins on the island. Along with sidecar brothers Ben and Tom Birchall they are the sixth most successful racers around the demanding 37.73-mile course.
Talking of sidecars, local brothers Callum and Ryan Crowe were popular winners of the opening Sidecar TT on Saturday. It was their first win and the first time anyone other than the Birchalls had won since 2017. Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley were second, with Peter’s brother Alan third along with passenger Rhys Gibbons. Ben Birchall did not start after crashing in practice. He has a new passenger this year following the retirement of his brother, but the pair are hopeful to take part in Wednesday’s second outing for the chairs.
