Dunlop Quickest in Final Isle of Man Qualifying

TT win record holder into the 132mph bracket as qualifying week wraps up 

The Isle of Man TT wrapped up its final qualifying session on Sunday afternoon, once skies cleared after overnight and early morning rain. Making a strong late statement, Michael Dunlop showed his intent with a blistering lap of 132.003mph aboard his MD Racing BMW Superbike—his fastest of the week and the quickest time of the session.

In the Superstock class, Conor Cummins led the charge for Burrows Engineering/RK Racing with a strong 129.835mph lap, while Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison topped Supersport times at 124.736mph. Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing Aprilia) was best in Supertwins, clocking 118.584mph, and the Manx brothers Ryan and Callum Crowe were untouchable in Sidecars, hitting 119.337mph aboard their Opul/Kelproperties LCR Honda.

The revised running order saw the Sidecars head out first on the damp Mountain Course. Wet sections remained in areas like Greeba Castle, Ballaspur and Ramsey Hairpin. Founds/Walmsley led the group away, ahead of Crawford/Hardie and Birchall/Rosney, but all eyes were on the Crowes as they quickly set the pace. Powered by a top speed of 162.332mph at the Sulby speed trap, they reached Glen Helen 13 seconds ahead of their rivals and finished with a commanding half-minute lead.

Following a brief rain delay, the afternoon’s combined Superbike, Superstock and Supersport session launched at 4:20pm. Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki) led the field out, followed by big names including Dean Harrison, Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes.

Dunlop wasted no time, topping every sector and logging an early 131.683mph to best Harrison (130.666mph), Davey Todd (129.812mph), and Nathan Harrison (129.652mph). Rob Hodson (128.798mph) and Brookes (128.359mph) also recorded personal bests for the week. In Superstock, Mike Browne initially led at 129.697mph, before ultimately being overtaken by Cummins’ improving 129.835mph second lap.

James Hillier was quickest in the early Supersport runs at 123.021mph, but Dean Harrison later raised the bar to 124.736mph, just ahead of Browne (124.272mph) and Michael Evans (123.280mph). Riders switched between classes throughout the session to hammer in final qualifying laps.

The evening closed with the Supertwin field taking to the course at 5pm. Paul Jordan led that session with 118.584mph, followed by Adam McLean (118.257mph), Barry Furber (117.913mph), Browne (117.302mph), Todd (116.522mph), and Andrea Majola (116.207mph).

Racing kicks off on Monday 2 June, with the RST x D3O Superbike TT first on the schedule, followed by the 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Race 1 and the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1.