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 Super🌳bike class on the openi♔ng day of the 2024 Isle of Man TT.
Dunlop clocked 129.590mph on his Hawk Racing Honda on Monday in qualifying as the world famous mot🍸or💜sport event began.
His father Robert, uncle Joey and brother William💯 h🌜ave 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 re💦cord of 26.
This year, he is 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 perfect 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 To☂dd 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 knock.
Feeling the effects of that knock at the North🐎 West 200, Dunlop registered five third-place finishes.
At the TT, Dunlop will racꦯe with a Honda Fireblade in the Su൩perbike class.
He also has a Honda for the Superstock race, but will switch to a&ಞnbsp;Triumph 765cc in the Supersport category.
Dunlop is on a Paton for the Supertwin.
Dunlop has major competition𝐆 aiming 💮to stop his bid for a 26th TT win.
Peterꦍ Hickman has won the past five Superstock races in a row.
He also set a new course ꧅record of 136.358mph last ye꧂ar.
Dean Harrison and Davey Todd are among other notable riders e☂xpected to be front-runners.
James was 🎃a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
