Dunlop beats Harrison for 30th Isle of Man TT win

In a thrilling Supersport race, Michael Dunlop won the record-breaking 30th Isle of Man TT title.

As Ducati rider Dunlop began his front-rowed attack, Honda rider Dean Harrison held the lead by 2.9 seconds going into the final lap.

On the third and final lap, the Northern Ireland rider reeled in and then beat Harrison for the win by 10.229 seconds, just outside his own lap record.

With his seventh straight victory in the middleweight division, the 36-year-old continues his dominance of the Supersport class.

After claiming Ducati’s first championship victory since Robert Holden won a singles race in 1995, Dunlop has now won TT races with seven different manufacturers.

James Hillier finished third on his Kawasaki for the first time in a podium position since losing his ride in a race.

The trio of Dunlop, Harrison, and Todd were expected to compete for victory in the three-lap Supersport race without Peter Hickman.

The Yorkshire rider extended his lead at the pit stops at the end of the opening lap, leading by 3.4 seconds in the early stages, and Harrison had the best start.

However, in his stop, Dunlop started tying Harrison’s lead on the second lap by altering the dampers on his Ducati.

As the 36-year-old approached the final lap, Harrison’s margin fell by 2.9 seconds to set purple sector after purple sector.

At Ballaugh Bridge, Dunlop moved in front by only one tenth of a second after continuing his attack on the final lap.

Dunlop continued on until the 37.7 mile round of the Isle of Man’s closed public roads.

With a final circuit of 130.313 mph, which was just outside his own lap record, Dunlop won by 10.2 seconds.

Dunlop described his race as “tough” on the first lap.

“We’ve struggled with a new manufacturer because of the lack of laps.” It’s great because it’s another manufacturer on my own list.

The 40-year-old, who took the event’s final of 14 podiums in 2019, looked at home throughout the three-lap race, even jumping onto his Bournemouth Kawasaki for the first time in first practice last week.

“I’m pleased with that,” I said. After my first race, I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, but this had already made up for it, Hillier said on TT plus.

The journey was a little stressful and frustrating, but it is still worthwhile.

“There are so many people working behind the scenes, I can’t thank the guys enough.” It’s nice to give them a reward for their hard work and commitment. Tonight, I’ll have a good night’s sleep.

Todd finished fourth ahead of Josh Brookes on his Padgett’s Honda, having been anticipating a strong performance following his Superbike victory.

2. Dean Harrison (Honda) + 10.229 seconds

3. James Hillier (Kawasaki) + 45.072

4. Davey Todd (Honda) + 17.992

5. Josh Brookes (Honda) + 10.384