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Dunlop dominates Supertwin TT for 31st victory

Watch: Michael Dunlop claims a record-extending 31st victory at the Isle of Man TT

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Michael Dunlop claimed a record-extending 31st victory at the Isle of Man TT by winning the Supertwins opener on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old, who also won the Supersport opener on Monday, dominated the two-lap race to win by 22.673 seconds ahead of Manx rider Michael Evans and Rob Hodson, who both secured their first TT podiums.

Just like the Superstock TT, which was won by Honda's Dean Harrison, the Supertwins opener was cut to two laps and pushed back to the evening after rain throughout the day on Tuesday.

"The bike worked lovely and on the second lap I seen I was up 10 seconds so I started to calm myself a little bit," Dunlop told TT Plus.

"These bikes are a maintenance thing, the engines get so much torture so fair play for the Paton boys, it's good to get another win for them."

It was a record 48th solo podium for Dunlop, which meant he has been on the rostrum for 52% of all races he has entered at the gruelling road race, which takes place between 37.7 miles of closed public roads.

"The main thing is to win TTs, and to get into another bracket into the 30s is good," he added.

"To win two this early on in the week has been great, but we need to keep pushing. Let's see what we're made of."

Northern Ireland's Dunlop had won both Supertwin races at the TT in 2024 and picked up where he left off.

He led after the first sector at Glen Helen on the opening lap and didn't look back from that point.

Manx rider Evans, who was celebrating his 32nd birthday, was overtaken by Dunlop over the Mountain but tucked in behind the Paton rider to hold a comfortable second position heading on the second and final lap.

Dunlop led by 10.7 seconds from Evans, who in turn held a 9.4 seconds advantage over Davey Todd, who was being held by in traffic behind Adam McLean.

No rider has won more races at the TT than Dunlop, and the veteran cruised to victory with a commanding performance with a winning margin of 22.673 seconds.

Michael Evans in action in the Supertwins racePacemaker

Manx rider Michael Evans celebrated his 32nd birthday with a podium

It was a birthday to celebrate for Evans, who claimed his first TT podium and was emotional as he entered the winners' enclosure.

"I can't believe it," a tearful Evans told TT Plus. "I've deamed about this for so much of my life. I don't even know what to say, I've worked so hard to be here.

"You believe it and imagine it, but you never know if it's actually going to happen. It's the best birthday I've ever had."

Behind the leading pair, Hodson prevailed in a tight battle for third by beating Paul Jordan by 1.757 seconds.

Todd, Dominic Herbertson and Stefano Bonetti rounded out the top six.

"It's pretty special," said Hodson. "It's good to reward the team with a podium, and my first one.

"It's above and beyond what I ever expected to achieve when I started racing at the Isle of Man TT. I'll never forget this moment."

Supertwin TT result

1. Michael Dunlop (Paton) Two laps

2. Michael Evans (Kawasaki) +22.673 seconds

3. Rob Hodson (Paton) +13.465

4. Paul Jordan (Aprillia) +1.757 seconds

5. Davey Todd (Paton) +4.247

6. Dominic Herbertson (Paton) +1.932

7. Adam McLean (Yamaha) +7.454

8. Stefano Bonetti (Paton) +6.393

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