Michael Dunlop sets 26 wins in Isle of Man TT
The name Dunlop has become synonymous with the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) race, with Joey Dunlop setting a record of 26 Isle of Man TT wins. This year, another Dunlop has achieved a similar feat. His name: Michael Dunlop.
Michael is actually the late Joey Dunlop’s nephew. This weekend, Michael has tied his uncle’s record of 26 Isle of Man TT wins which has stood unequaled for the last 24 years.
“It's fantastic. To equal Joey's record is something that has been playing on my mind all week, and everyone else’s,” said the younger Dunlop. “Everyone wanted to get to that record and now I’ve done it, so it is something special.”
This 26th victory for the 35-year-old Dunlop was not a walk in the park, as he had to battle with early race leader Dean Harrison and then with Davey Todd. Dunlop triumphed with an 8.5-second gap from the trailing Todd.
“I knew it was going to be tight and it took me a couple of laps to bed in,” added Dunlop. It was not until after the 2nd lap of the 61-kilometer course when Michael finally enjoyed a relaxing 4.5-second lead over Todd, then advanced further while setting the quickest lap of the race during the final lap at 129.214 to secure his victory.
