VICTORY IN METZELER SUPERTWIN TT SEES DUNLOP BECOME MOST DECORATED TT RIDER OF ALL TIME

More history was made at the Isle of Man TT Races on Tuesday evening as Michael Dunlop won the Metzeler Supertwin race to claim his 31st TT win and 48th podium - the latter breaking the record of 47 previously held by former team-mate John McGuinness MBE.

Dunlop set a fastest lap of 122.610mph on his MD Racing Paton to defeat Manxman Michael Evans (Dafabet Racing Kawasaki) by 22.6 seconds, with Rob Hodson (SMT Racing Paton) taking third. For Evans and Hodson, it marked their maiden TT podiums.

Damp roads in the morning meant the race was delayed until 7:45 p.m. and reduced from three laps to two. Although it was Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing powered by Prosper2 Aprilia) who led the field away at number one, it was Dunlop who led round the left-hander at Glen Helen on the opening lap.

His advantage over Evans was 2.2 seconds, with Mike Browne (KMR/Jack Reid Cars Kawasaki) only 0.6 seconds adrift in third. Davey Todd (Milenco by Padgett’s Paton), Stefano Bonetti (VAS Engine Racing Paton), and Hodson filled fourth to sixth in the early stages, the latter two equal on time after the first nine miles. Browne, however, retired soon after at Douglas Road Corner in Kirk Michael.

By Ballaugh Bridge, Dunlop had more than doubled his lead to 5.9 seconds, and at Ramsey, on the north of the island, the gap had increased further to 9.3 seconds — the Northern Irishman now running close to Evans on the road. Todd held third, only 2.7 seconds behind Evans, but just one second ahead of Hodson, while Dominic Herbertson (Melbray Racing Paton) and Bonetti slotted into fifth and sixth respectively.

Dunlop overhauled Evans on the first run up the Mountain, with the Manxman immediately tucking in behind. An opening lap of 122.006mph gave Dunlop a 10.7-second advantage over Evans (120.837mph). Todd (119.836mph) remained in third ahead of Hodson (119.686mph), the gap between them just 1.4 seconds, followed by Jordan (119.489mph) and Herbertson (119.450mph).

Further back, Bonetti ran in seventh ahead of Adam McLean (Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha), Barry Furber (DC Motorcycles Newtown Yamaha), and Michael Rutter (Bathams AJN Racing Yamaha).

Dunlop slowly but surely broke the tow to Evans, his lead stretching to 13.6 seconds at Glen Helen for the second and final time. Further behind, Hodson had moved into third at the expense of Todd - just 0.7 seconds separated them after almost 50 miles of racing. By Ballaugh, Hodson’s advantage had increased to 3.2 seconds, and this continued to grow as Todd lost time on the final lap.

At the front, Dunlop continued to extend his lead with each passing sector - 17.9 seconds at Ramsey - and a second lap at 122.610mph sealed his 31st TT victory. His eventual winning margin over Evans (121.306mph) was 22.6 seconds, the local rider securing a brilliant second place on his 32nd birthday.

Hodson (121.020mph) joined them on the podium for the first time, edging out a charging Jordan (121.032mph) by just 1.7 seconds. Todd slipped back to fifth despite a final lap of 120.224mph, as Herbertson (120.408mph) rounded out the top six. McLean, Bonetti, Furber, and Rutter completed the top ten.