Dunlop nears lap record pace in final qualifying

Author: Bike Social Sports Reporter Posted: 30 May 2014

Michael Dunlop controlled the pace in this evening’s final qualifying for the Dainese Superbike race at this year’s Isle of Man TT. Edging in on John McGuinness’ lap record from 2013, Dunlop set a time of 131.501mph on his newly Dunlop-shod BMW S 1000 RR in tonight’s superbike session to throw himself to the top of the pile.

Bruce Anstey set the second fastest overall time, with the 130.860 he put in on Tuesday night ahead of Guy Martin with a 130.860. John McGuinness was fourth on the timesheets, although unable to break the 130mph barrier just yet with a 129.790.

British Superbike star Josh Brookes bettered his personal best lap from 2013 with a 127.990 in Friday’s practice, which was run in glorious conditions much unlike the rest of practice week. Fastest newcomer was once again Peter Hickman, who put his BMW S 1000 RR round the course at an average speed of 123.329mph.

Lincolnshire’s Gary Johnson has put himself in good stead for the races topping both the Superstock and Supersport overall timesheets. In Superstock, Johnson set a blistering 130.207mph lap on his Lincs Lifting Kawasaki ahead of Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison.

Behind Johnson in the Supersport session was Michael Dunlop once again on the MD Racing Honda, just a faction faster than his older brother, William.

Superbike - Supersport - Superstock

SUPERBIKE – OVERALL

1. Michael Dunlop – BMW – 131.501
2. Bruce Anstey – Honda – 130.860
3. Guy Martin – Suzuki – 130.102
4. John McGuinness – Honda – 129.790
5. Dan Kneen – Suzuki – 129.107
6. Michael Rutter – BMW – 128.883
7. Conor Cummins – Honda – 128.719
8. William Dunlop – Suzuki – 128.368
9. Gary Johnson – Honda – 128.005
10. Josh Brookes – Yamaha – 127.991
11. James Hillier – Kawasaki – 127.587
12. Ian Hutchinson – Yamaha – 127.422
13. Dean Harrison – Kawasaki – 127.258
14. David Johnson – Kawasaki – 126.587
15. Dan Stewart – Honda – 125.845
16. Steve Mercer – Suzuki – 124.677
17. Jamie Hamilton – Honda – 124.647
18. Lee Johnston – Honda – 124.440
19. Jimmy Storrar – BMW – 124.286
20. Ian Mackman – Suzuki – 124.235
21. Shaun Anderson – Suzuki – 124.045
22. Peter Hickman* - BMW – 123.329
23. James Cowton – Honda – 123.247
24. Cameron Donald – Norton - 123.095
25. Davy Morgan – Honda – 123.037

SUPERSTOCK

1. Gary Johnson – Kawasaki – 130.207
2. Michael Dunlop – BMW – 129.333
3. Dean Harrison – Kawasaki – 128.622
4. James Hillier – Kawasaki – 127.448
5. Michael Rutter – BMW – 126.627
6. Conor Cummins – Honda – 126.268
7. Bruce Anstey – Honda – 125.675
8. John McGuinness – Honda – 124.529
9. Jimmy - Storrar BMW – 124.286
10. Dan Kneen – Suzuki – 124.111
11. Horst Saiger – Kawasaki – 123.594
12. David Johnson – Kawasaki – 123.411
13. Peter Hickman* - BMW – 123.329
14. James Cowton – Honda – 123.247
15. Russ Mountford – Kawasaki – 123.090
16. Dan Stewart – Kawasaki – 122.742
17. Guy Martin – Suzuki – 122.701
18. Lee Johnston – Honda – 122.614
19. William Dunlop – Suzuki – 122.461
20. Paul Owen – Honda – 122.320

SUPERSPORT

1. Gary Johnson – Triumph – 125.934
2. Michael Dunlop – Honda – 124.530
3. William Dunlop – Suzuki – 124.475
4. Keith Amor – Honda – 124.365
5. Dean Harrison – Yamaha – 123.886
6. Michael Rutter – Triumph – 123.874
7. Lee Johnston – Honda – 123.803
8. Josh Brookes – Yamaha – 123.258
9. Bruce Anstey – Honda – 123.127
10. Guy Martin – Suzuki – 122.803
11. John McGuinness – Honda – 122.044
12. Ivan Lintin – Honda – 121.986
13. Conor Cummins – Honda – 121.888
14. Russ Mountford- Triumph – 121.572
15. James Cowton – Honda – 121.121
16. Ian Hutchinson – Yamaha – 120.978
17. Dan Kneen – Honda – 120.797
18. Steve Mercer – 120.436
19. Dan Stewart – Honda – 120.247
20. James Hillier – Kawasaki – 120.180

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