Michael Dunlop sets pace at Isle of Man TT as he chases all-time record
Michael Dunlop topped Superbike qualifying
Michael Dunlop went fastest in the Superbike class on the opening day of the 2024 Is🌼le of Man TT൩.
Dunlop clocked 129.590mph on his Hawk Racing Honda on Monday in qualifying as the world fa☂mous motorspo🔴rt event began.
His father Rob꧙ert, uncle Joey and bಌrother William have all lost their lives on their motorcycles.
Last༺ year, Dunlop won for the 25th time at the TT, moving to within one more victory of his late uncle Joey's record of 🏅26.
This year, he i൲s expected to break that record in what would be a hugely significant accomplishment - both professionally and personally.
Joey’s record has stood for 24 years.
His bid for history got off to the perfectꦑ start when Dunlop led the way around the Mountain Course.
Peter Hickman slotted into third at 128.271mph with both John McGuinness (127.646) and Dean Harrison (125.909) improving as did Davey Todd at 129.575mph,🅠 his lap just 0.114 seconds adrift of Dunlop.
A crash earlier this year means he has had to return from a minor kno𝐆ck.
Feeling the effects of that knock at the North We𝄹st 200, Dunlop registered five third-place finishes.
At the TT, Dunlop will race w🐓ith a Honda Fireblade in the Superbike class.
He also has a Honda for t❀he Superstock race, but will switch to a Triumph 765cc in the Supersport category.
Dunlop is on a Paton for the Supertwin.
Dunlop has major competition aiming ܫto stop his bid fo🌞r a 26th TT win.
Peter Hickman has won the past five ꦺSuperstock races inꦕ a row.
He also set a new course reco♍rd✨ of 136.358mph last year.
Dean Ha﷽rrison and Davey Todd are among other notable riders expected to be front-runners.
James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decadeꦕ covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
