Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man, UK
June 6, 2014
Superbike TT Race Results:
1. Michael Dunlop (BMW S1000RR), 6 laps, 1:45:33.291, 128.680 mph
2. Conor Cummins (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:45:47.291, 128.396 mph
3. Guy Martin (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:45:56.962, 128.201 mph
4. Bruce Anstey (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:46:20.814, 127.722 mph
5. James Hillier (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:46:22.262, 127.693 mph
6. John McGuinness (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:46:38.179, 127.375 mph
7. Josh Brookes (Yam YZF-R1), 1:46:43.877, 127.262 mph
8. Dan Kneen (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:47:28.519, 126.381 mph
9. Michael Rutter (BMW S1000RR), 1:47:34.561, 126.262 mph
10. David Johnson (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:48:11.127, 125.551 mph
42. Brandon Cretu (EBR 1190RS), 1:8.07.576, 114.985 mph
Lightweight TT Race Results:
1. Dean Harrison (Kaw 650R), 3 laps, 57:49.129, 117.460 mph
2. James Hillier (Kaw 650R), 58:03.755, 116.967 mph
3. James Cowton (Kaw 650R), 58:12.754, 116.666 mph
4. Keith Amor (Kaw 650R), 58:16.164, 116.552 mph
5. Jamie Hamilton (Kaw 650R), 58:44.190, 115.625 mph
6. Oliver Linsdell (Paton), 59:14.516, 114.638 mph
7. Ryan Farquhar (Kaw 650R), 59:33.625, 114.025 mph
8. Daniel Cooper (Kaw 650R), 59:41.580, 113.772 mph
9. Connor Behan (Kaw 650R), 1:00:24.584, 112.422 mph
10. Michal Dokoupil (Kaw 650R), 1:00:31.019, 112.223 mph
More, from a press release issued by Isle of Man TT Press Office:
HARRISON CLAIMS DEBUT TT VICTORY WITH BIKE NATION TT LIGHTWEIGHT WIN
Dean Harrison claimed his first Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy win when he took Friday morning’s 3-lap Bikenation Lightweight race. Held in perfect conditions, the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance rider led from start to finish and ran out victor by 14.6s with last year’s winner James Hillier in second and another youngster, James Cowton, in third.
With beautiful sunny weather bathing the island, Harrison grabbed the early lead at Glen Helen on the opening lap, his advantage over Hillier just half a second as Cowton slotted into third ahead of Jamie Hamilton, Olie Linsdell and Keith Amor. There was disappointment though for Ivan Lintin, the fastest qualifier, as he only got as far as Union Mills before retiring.
As the lap progressed, the gap between the front two was increasing all the time and with a first lap speed of 117.897mph, Harrison already had a comprehensive lead of almost ten seconds. Hillier had extended his gap to Cowton too, the margin now 8.4s, as Amor, Hamilton and Linsdell continued to hold onto their top six places but another pre-race favourite Lee Johnston was another early retiree.
The majority of riders opted to pit at the end of the first lap but one man who didn’t was double Manx GP winner Michael Russell and the leaderboard took on a different look through Glen Helen on lap two. Harrison still led Hillier by ten seconds but Russell was now up to third, just two seconds behind Hillier but only half a second clear of Cowton.
It was clear that it wouldn’t be until Glen Helen on lap three that the leaderboard would settle down again after all the pit stops had been made but at the end of the lap the order was Harrison, Hillier, Cowton, Amor, Hamilton and Russell. Russell then pitted but his race was over shortly after when he pulled in at Quarterbridge.
By Glen Helen on the third and final lap, Harrison’s lead had now risen to 18 seconds although Cowton was only four seconds adrift of the 2013 race winner. Amor, Hamilton and Linsdell remained in fourth, fifth and sixth as Harrison, Amor and Hamilton circulated in close formation.
The Bradford rider was able to control the race in the closing stages and he took the win by 14.6s to emulate the feat of his dad Conrad in Saturday’s opening F2 Sidecar race, the first time a father and son have taken wins in the same week.
Hillier was secure in second and took his third podium in the class in as many years, with 2012 Newcomers Manx GP winner Cowton having a superb ride into third. Amor, Hamilton and Linsdell had no dramas on the final lap and filled out the top six.
2012 race winner Ryan Farquhar took seventh ahead of Dan Cooper, Michal Dokoupil and newcomer Martin Jessopp who had a great ride into tenth. Fellow debutante Danny Webb was only two further places back in twelfth.
More, from another press release issued by Isle of Man TT Press Office:
DUNLOP JOINS TT LEGENDS WITH 11 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES WINS
Michael Dunlop joined Steve Hislop and Phillip McCallen on 11 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy when he took Friday afternoon’s PokerStars Senior TT race, the second year in succession when he’s won 4 races in a week.
The BMW Motorrad rider was down in seventh at Glen Helen, the first timing point, on the opening lap but steadily moved through the leaders on the opening lap. He eventually took the win by exactly 14 seconds from Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins with the Tyco Suzuki of Guy Martin in third.
With conditions all around the Mountain Course remaining perfect throughout the 6-lap race, the second Tyco Suzuki ridden by William Dunlop held the lead in the early stages, ahead by 1.3 seconds at Glen Helen with Cummins and Martin in second and third from Dean Harrison, John McGuinness and James Hillier.
William still led at Ramsey but Michael was beginning to make his move, closing the gap to just one second and by the end of the lap Michael was in front. His lap of 130.628mph gave him a 0.8s lead over Martin with Cummins, William Dunlop and Harrison in hot pursuit, just 3s covering the top five.
On the second lap, Dunlop and the BMW really began to make their mark on the race and with a new lap record, for the Senior race, of 131.668mph, he went 7.7s clear as he came into the pits for his first stop. William had edged out Martin for second as Cummins slipped back to fourth. Harrison remained in fifth as a slow starting Bruce Anstey moved up to sixth.
Lap three saw some major changes though and while Michael remained in the lead, Cummins and Martin moved up to second and third respectively as William Dunlop crashed at the Les Graham Memorial, the 28-year reported to have received a suspected broken leg and was taken by airmed to Nobles Hospital. Harrison was also out, retiring at Sulby.
The gap between Michael Dunlop and Conor Cummins went up to 13s at Ramsey on the fourth lap, but by the pits and the second stop, it was down to 9.5s as Cummins was the quickest on the fourth lap at 130.499mph. Martin was 10s further back in third, with Dunlop having caught him on the road, as Anstey, Hillier and McGuinness now slotted into fourth to sixth.
At Glen Helen on the penultimate lap, just 7s separated Dunlop and Cummins with the former circulating on the road with Hillier, McGuinness and Martin also encountering heavy traffic. However, the Ballymoney rider fought his way to the front of the quartet and once there he was able to build a slightly more comfortable lead.
By the end of the race, the margin was 14s as he swept to his 11th win of his relatively short TT career, with Cummins again justifying Honda’s faith in him in 2nd, 9.6s ahead of Martin who had to settle for third and his 15th TT podium.
Just like twelve months ago Anstey and Hillier battled all the way to the chequered flag, this time for fourth, and it was again the Kiwi who prevailed, this time by 1.4s. Meanwhile, McGuinness, sixth at the end of the opening lap, duly completed the race in the same position to end a difficult week with a solid finish.
Josh Brookes put behind the disappointment of Wednesday’s Supersport race, when he was knocked off by Lee Johnston at Creg ny Baa on the final lap, to finish in a strong seventh with Dan Kneen, Michael Rutter and David Johnson rounding out the top ten.
There was another sensational performance from newcomer Peter Hickman who not only took 11th place but also set the fastest ever lap by a first timer at the Mountain Course with a stunning lap of 129.104mph.
He was the first privateer home ahead of Ian Mackman (15th) but Ivan Lintin’s 16th place was enough to see him wrap up the TT Privateer’s Championship with 97 points overall.
John Ingram and Philip Crowe were reported off at Governors and Gooseneck respectively but both were reported as OK. Martin Jessop, also off at Governors, was taken by ambulance to Nobles hospital with a suspected broken collar bone, while Austrian Horst Saiger was conscious after an incident at Gardeners Lane and taken to Nobles with a leg injury.
More, from a press release issued by John McGuinness’ publicist:
McGuinness ends TT2014 with strong top six finish
Morecambe’s John McGuinness ensured his 2014 Isle of Man TT Races campaign ended in fine style on Friday afternoon, when he took a strong sixth place in the 6-lap Senior race.
Having completed the final practice session on Thursday afternoon, the 21-times TT winner made the decision to contest the final race of the festival, and the Honda Racing rider was competitive from the start, an opening lap of 129.367mph immediately placing him inside the top six.
Despite quickening his pace second time around, John was pushed back to eighth in what was proving to be a highly competitive race but, as everyone has become accustomed to, the pit crew refuelled him and changed the rear tyre in double quick time and by half race distance, he was back up to sixth.
Circulating on the road with eventual race winner Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin and James Hillier, the quartet did the entire fourth lap in each other’s company and, on the sixth and final lap, a fourth 129mph+ lap ensured John held onto his sixth place and won yet another silver replica.
Speaking later, a satisfied John said; “I’m happy with today’s result and it’s nice to end the week with a good, strong performance on the Superbike. It was always going to be tough and by the middle of race week, it was getting harder and harder, race after race. Opting out of Wednesday’s Supersport race gave me that little bit of rest I needed and it made a big difference so I set off in a good frame of mind today.”
“It took the boys a bit longer than last Saturday to catch me and when they came by, I just thought ‘I want to stay with them at all costs’. As always, the boys did a great job at both pit stops and we got through the Sulby speed trap at 193mph, which isn’t hanging around for an old boy. Considering everything that’s happened, we’ve achieved a lot of things here on the island and to finish inside the top six in both the Superbike and Senior is no disgrace.”
“If I was 100% fit, I’m sure I could have given the boys a run for their money as I’ve done the speeds before and there’s no reason why I can’t do them again. The atmosphere today was great and the fans were waving me the whole way – at least I think they were, they might have been giving me V-signs! I really enjoyed the last lap and popped a couple of wheelies coming out of the Creg and along the start and finish so we ended on a good note. Even to start the race was like a win, given I was flat out on the rocks two months ago so a big thank you to everyone for their support.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:
Cummins storms to second in the Senior TT while McGuinness secures a solid sixth
The 2014 Isle of Man TT drew to a close today with an epic Senior race that saw Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins secure second place to take his second podium of the week. Team-mate John McGuinness put in another impressive performance to finish in the top six.
Conditions on the 37.7-mile Mountain course were near perfect as the race got underway in warm and sunny weather. Cummins made a great start and was in third place by the first round of pit stops at the end of lap two. A super-smooth job by the Honda Racing crew saw him move up to second by Glen Helen on lap three.
The Manxman continued to chip away and aided by another perfect pit stop, he’d closed the gap on race leader Michael Dunlop to just six seconds on the penultimate lap. On the final rotation, Dunlop eked out his lead and Cummins eventually crossed the line 14 seconds behind, taking second place and his sixth TT podium. Guy Martin completed the top three.
Meanwhile, McGuinness, who is still recovering from a broken scaphoid, fought his way to sixth place by the halfway point. The 21-time Isle of Man TT winner pushed incredibly hard, recording the fastest speed of the week through Sulby at 193.4mph, to take a well-deserved sixth-place finish.
It’s been another successful Isle of Man TT for Honda, with two race victories (in the first Sidecar outing and the second Supersport race) and seven other podium finishes secured on Honda machinery. The manufacturer’s tally of TT wins now stands at 172.
Neil Tuxworth team manager
Conor rode superbly today. He was in the fight all the way through and secured his second podium of the week so we’re really pleased for him, it’s been an excellent TT. I said going into the race that a top six finish would be great for John and that’s exactly what he got, so again, we’re happy with that.
Conor Cummins
I’m chuffed with that. I knew it was going to be a fast pace so I thought I’d better pull my finger out from the start. I just chipped away and worked really hard for the full six laps. The bike was perfect and the pit stops were absolutely mega – I can’t fault the team. They have worked so hard for the whole two weeks and I want to thank them for that. It was a great race, I really enjoyed it and I’m just so happy to be back riding my bike at the front. Long may it continue!
John McGuinness
I’m happy. It was always going to be tough and mid-week it was getting harder and harder. That little bit of a rest on Wednesday after sitting out the Supersport race made a big difference. I set off in a positive frame of mind today and got a better start than I did on Saturday. When the boys came past me, I thought ‘I just want to stay with them’ and a couple of good pit stops helped me out. I did 193mph through Sulby, which isn’t hanging about for an old boy, so I’m proud of that. We’ve achieved a lot of things and had a positive couple of weeks considering everything. It was always going to be tough and to get top six in the Senior is not a disgrace. If I was 100% fit I’m sure I could give the others a run for their money. I’ve gone that speed before and there’s no reason why I can’t match their pace again. It’s just a shame we’ve got to wait 51 weeks until the next one!
More, from a press release issued by Dan Cooper Racing:
Cooper Ends TT In Fine Style
Stroud’s Dan Cooper ended his 2014 Isle of Man TT campaign on a high note today by taking his best ever finish with eighth in the morning’s Bikenation Lightweight race and then posting his personal best lap of the Mountain Course on his way to 14th in the PokerStars Senior TT.
With perfect conditions all around the island, the three lap Lightweight race got the action underway in the morning with Dan having a last minute switch to the CMS/Tony Morris Kawasaki. Despite having only completed one practice lap on the machine the day before, a strong opening lap of 114.769mph placed Dan in seventh place and although he was pushed back to eighth a lap later, a final flying lap of 115.432mph ensured he held onto the position to pick up another silver replica and record his best ever result in five years of racing at the TT.
There was little respite for Dan with the six lap Senior starting at 1.00pm and a near standing start lap of 124mph placed Dan in a solid 22nd place. Despite being on his own for almost the entire six laps, Dan’s pace on the Tsingtao Kawasaki stayed high and he continually advanced forward. His first ever 125mph lap on the second lap moved him up inside the top twenty and by two thirds race distance, he was up to 15th. However, he saved the best until last and a final flying lap of 126.375mph moved him up to 14th although he agonisingly missed out on his second silver replica of the day.
Dan Cooper: “It’s been a good end to what’s been a tough fortnight although I’m a bit disappointed to have missed out on a silver replica in the Senior, being the first rider to win a bronze! Apart from overtaking Ben Wylie on the first lap, I never saw another rider for the entire race so it was quite a lonely ride. However, that makes my lap speeds more pleasing as it shows what pace I can do on my own without being towed along by anybody. It was a last minute decision to switch to the CMS machine and I only managed one practice lap on it the day before so to finish eighth is a great result. I had a good clean race and I’m sure, with a bit more set-up time, I could have been higher up the order. We’ve had to work hard throughout but at the end of the day, we’ve only had one DNF from six races which isn’t a bad return. I’ve picked up more silver replicas, had my best ever finish and posted my best ever lap so I can’t complain too much. Thanks to everyone who’s helped me.”
More, from a press release issued by GB Racing:
GBRacing makes it six out of six
MICHAEL DUNLOP’S 11th TT win in today’s Senior race on top of Dean Harrison’s Lightweight TT victory in the morning gives GBRacing six wins out of six starts in 2014.
In the Lightweight race the whole podium featured GBRacing motorcycle protection on their Kawasaki ER6 based machines, In the Senior Michael’s BMW S1000RR and Conor Cummins Honda CBR1000RR used the specialist products, giving it two out of three spots on the podium.
GBRacing’s Graham Banks said: “It’s been another fantastic day’s racing and GBRacing is delighted to have taken another two wins to make it a perfect six out of six for the week.
“Thank you to all the racers that use GBRacing and for giving us such success at the TT. This is the biggest and best test of man and machinery and the fact that nearly the whole paddock chooses GBRacing products makes us very happy that we have developed the most technically advanced motorcycle protection possible. We even supplied the chain guard for the winning electric bike. We will be back in 2015.”
More, from a press release issued by Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki:
Hillier takes third TT podium with strong runners-up spot
James Hillier had an excellent conclusion to the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races with the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki rider taking three top five finishes in the final three races, including a superb second place in Friday’s Lightweight TT.
Defending the title he won 12 months ago, James and the team had suffered nothing but misfortune with the little 650cc Kawasaki since arriving on the island but it all came good on race day. Lapping comfortably quicker than what he’d managed all practice week, an opening lap of 116.916mph saw James slot into second place, ten seconds behind last year’s runner-up Dean Harrison. Fellow Kawasaki rider Harrison was able to extend his lead on his way to his maiden TT win but a final lap of 118.909mph, the fastest lap of the race, ensured James stood on the Lightweight TT podium for the third successive year.
Later in the afternoon, James was back in action in the Senior event and it proved to be another highly competitive race. Despite posting two 129mph+ laps, James was back in seventh place as he came into the pits for the first time but with the team having the second quickest pit-stop, he moved up to fourth at half race distance. At the second pit-stop, the team were quicker than anyone but Bruce Anstey, who pipped James for third in the corresponding race twelve months ago was on a charge. There was nothing between the duo over the final two laps but James just lost out by 1.4s although fifth place was still an excellent way to end the week.
In James’ other race of the week, Wednesday’s second Supersport race, it was a similar outcome and with some strong lap speeds throughout, James took another fifth place and silver replica. Indeed, with six finishes from six races, including five top ten finishes and a podium, it was another excellent performance by James and maintained his position amongst the elite TT competitors.
James Hillier: “I’m really pleased with how this year’s TT has ended and whilst the first half of race week was frustrating, the second half couldn’t have gone much better. Obviously, second place in the Lightweight was one place down on last year but after all the trouble we had with the bike during practice, I’d have quite happily taken second if someone had offered me it this morning! As soon as I left the line, I rode as hard as I could but Dean really deserved the win today. After Ivan (Lintin) retired on the opening lap, I encountered a lot of wildlife but apart from that, and a little bit of clutch slip, the race went really well.”
“I had no big dramas during the Senior but John (McGuinness) was going a lot quicker than in previous races and it took me a while to catch him although, at the same time, I was surprised that Michael (Dunlop) and Guy (Martin) took longer than I thought to catch me. It was great riding around with them and although Bruce did me again on the last lap, I’ll take the result. We’ve finished every race again this week, which is huge testament to all the boys and the hard work they’ve put in so a huge thanks to everyone involved.”
Pete Extance, Team Owner: “The boys have worked really hard all week and whilst we encountered a few challenges, I’m delighted with the outcome and the results. I was very pleased with the 600cc results and with the Lightweight bike causing us headaches all week, James put in a superb ride to finish second and give the team it’s third podium on the bounce.”
“In the Superbike race, it was another classy, professional performance from James and with two great pit-stops, some of the fastest of the entire field, we were well in contention throughout. I feel James was a bit unlucky not to have finished fourth, being pipped by Bruce again, but once again it’s been a great team effort that has seen us finish every race. The support from everyone involved with the team, especially Quattro and Muc-Off, has been fantastic and it’s been a great end to TT2014.”
The team now revert back to the British Superbike Championship with Dan Linfoot and Howie Mainwaring in action at Snetterton on June 13-15.
More, from a press release issued by RC Express Racing:
Harrison and RC Express Racing claim maiden TT win
Dean Harrison and the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance team claimed their maiden victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Friday when the Bradford rider brilliantly won the 3-lap Lightweight race, leading from start to finish.
Grabbing the race by the scruff of the neck, Dean signalled his intentions from the off and immediately slotted into the lead at Glen Helen on the opening lap, although the gap was only half a second. With fastest man in practice Ivan Lintin retiring early, Dean was under pressure from last year’s race winner James Hillier, but the 25-year old was riding superbly and with an opening lap of 117.897mph, his lead had risen to an impressive 9.7s.
Both riders opted to refuel at the end of the opening lap but Dean continued to extend his lead all the way round the second lap and, going into the third and final 37.73 miles, he was in the ideal position of controlling the race. A lap of 118.666mph ensured he came home for a brilliant, debut victory with Hillier some 14s in arrears at the chequered flag.
The closing race of the 2014 festival, the Senior, took place later in the afternoon and Dean’s superb form continued on the opening lap as he posted his first ever 130mph lap of the Mountain Course. A speed of 130.261mph placed him in a strong fifth place, less than three seconds off the race lead and although eventual race winner Michael Dunlop opened up a gap over the rest of the field on lap two, Dean maintained his fifth place. However, his race ended soon after as he was cruelly forced to retire at Sulby on the third lap.
Dean Harrison: “Ivan had been fastest all week in the Lightweight and I expected him to be pushing hard so my plan was to go as fast as I could right from the off. My first board said ‘P1, +0’ but I just kept plugging away and the gap kept getting bigger and bigger. I felt really comfortable with the pace I was running and had no issues, no slides or anything and the bike was absolutely faultless. To win my first TT is something special and with Dad having won one of the Sidecar races early in the week, the job’s a dream.”
“I was all set to go to the pub after taking the race win but we had the Senior to get through and I couldn’t have wished for a better start with my first ever 130mph lap. We were looking really good in fifth and everything was going great but, sadly, a mechanical problem brought my race to an early end. It’s a shame race week ended with a DNF but I’m delighted with how the races have gone and the team have been absolutely mint so a big thanks to all the boys for doing such a mega job.”
Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “After taking second place earlier in the week, to finish with a win is unreal and I must admit, it all got a bit emotional in parc ferme! My head went off the rails and I was shouting and screaming I was that happy – winning a TT is like a dream come true for everyone connected with the team and to do it in just our second year as a team is brilliant.”
“We came to this year’s TT with a couple of things on our mind – ours was to get a podium and Dean’s was to record a personal best lap and break the 130mph barrier – so to have achieved them all, and more, is brilliant. It’s a pity our week ended with our first ever DNF at the TT but it’s been a great TT for us and we’ve received plenty of recognition for our efforts. It’s great that people are recognising what we’re trying to do and people are already talking to us about 2015 and this year’s TT has only just finished! All I can say is that it’s been absolutely mega and everyone in the team has worked their absolute socks off so a massive thanks to each and every one of them.”
The team will return to the Isle of Man in July for the Southern 100 road races, the meeting taking place from July 7-10.
More, from a press release issued by Ivan Lintin’s publicist:
Lintin clinches 2014 TT Privateer’s Championship
Ivan Lintin’s 2014 Isle of Man TT Races ended in superb style on Friday with the Lincolnshire rider being crowned a deserved TT Privateer’s Champion. Riding the Taylor Lindsey Racing Honda’s, the Bardney-based rider finished all five races inside the top five and with two maximums, he took the title with 97 points, 19 clear of nearest rival Russ Mountford.
Friday’s 6-lap Senior race, the final event of the week, saw Ivan clinch the title as he came home the third privateer to finish and in 16th place overall. Riding the 1000cc Taylor Lindsey Superstock Honda once more, a stunning opening lap of 125.627mph, easily his best ever lap around the Mountain Course, elevated him into 16th place. More laps in excess of 124mph allowed him to maintain his position and he duly took his fifth top twenty finish of the week.
Earlier in the week, Ivan had one of his best ever TT rides when he lay in a stunning fifth place in the early stages of Wednesday’s second Supersport race with numerous ‘factory’ riders behind him. An opening lap of 124.339 on the Taylor Linsdey Racing Honda, another personal best in the class, placed him in sixth place only two seconds behind works Yamaha rider Josh Brookes and ahead of Suzuki and Kawasaki riders Guy Martin and James Hillier. Another 124mph+ lap maintained his sixth place at half race distance and although he slipped back slightly on the final lap, he still finished in seventh place, and the first privateer home, for another silver replica.
There was heartache for Ivan though in Friday morning’s Lightweight race, particularly as he’d topped the practice leaderboard on the McKinstry Racing Kawasaki, the only rider to lap in excess of 117mph. Starting at number one, hopes were naturally high of a podium finish at least but it was all over before it had really begun as he was forced to retire on the approach to Union Mills, less than three miles into the race.
As well as ending race week as the TT Privateer’s Champion, Ivan won three silver and two bronze replicas and increased his best ever lap speeds in the 600cc and 1000cc categories to 124.339mph and 125.627mph respectively.
Ivan Lintin: “I came here with a few goals in mind and one of the main ones was to win the TT Privateer’s Championship so to have actually achieved that goal feels amazing. Thanks to the support of Taylor Lindsey Racing, I had the machines at my disposal to give it a real good go and to finish every race inside the top twenty and set my personal bests in each class is brilliant. I’m absolutely over the moon with both the results and the lap speeds and my new personal best laps are really something to be proud of.”
“Obviously, the Lightweight race was a disappointment particularly as the bike had been faultless during practice. We had an electrical fault on Thursday afternoon but having checked and re-checked the bike and had it up the dyno, nothing could be found. Pretty much as soon as I left the line, I knew it wasn’t right – as soon as I opened the throttle the bike pretty would much shut down – so I had little option other than to retire. It’s a shame but overall I’ve had a brilliant TT and I just want to say thank you to all of the sponsors for having faith in me and for making it all happen.”
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing:
BMW Motorrad and Michael Dunlop’s third Isle of Man victory of 2014 in Senior TT race repeats history 75 years on.
BMW Motorrad and Michael Dunlop have repeated history, echoing Georg Meier’s legendary Senior TT victory of 1939 today on the Isle of Man. Dunlop’s third BMW-powered victory of the week came in the most prestigious race of all: the blue riband Senior TT race.
Dunlop’s performance today followed the same game plan as his Superbike and Superstock wins earlier in the TT fortnight, as he fought for a lead early on, however the first few laps were incredibly close with the top five riders being within a couple of seconds of one another.
Michael led on corrected time, but not on the roads, by the time he pulled in for his first pit stop. In second place was his brother William Dunlop on the Tyco Suzuki, just 7.7 seconds behind. However a rapid and smooth pit stop from the team’s crew got Michael and the BMW S 1000 RR back out and on the road, allowing him to push on.
On lap three, Dunlop set a new Senior TT lap record with a stunning 131.668 mph average around the Isle of Man course. During the second pit stop, Conor Cummins and his team closed the gap on Michael to just six seconds. The Ballymoney rider responded by upping his pace yet further, widening the lead by an extra two seconds within half a lap.
Hard-charging Conor Cummins piled on the pressure, with Guy Martin himself closing the gap on the second placed rider. Seeing his lead reduced on his pit boards, Dunlop dialled up the speed and denied his opponents the chance to close on him.
During the fifth lap Michael led on the roads and had extended his time lead to 8.5s, then to 9.8 by the start of the final lap. Despite this margin, Dunlop kept up the pace, stretching his lead yet further as the grandstand – and BMW Motorrad’s first Senior TT victory in 75 years – approached.
Michael crossed the line 14 seconds in front of Manxman Conor Cummins, with Guy Martin 9.7 seconds behind him in third place. Michael’s brother William Dunlop crashed during the race, and was airlifted to hospital with a suspected broken leg. William has already been discharged and is on his way home – the team wish him a swift recovery.
The 25-year-old Michael Dunlop has secured his own place in history by increasing his total to a stunning 11 TT wins, three of them coming this week onboard BMW S 1000 RR machines in the Superbike, Supertstock and now Senior TT races. Michael also became the first rider in history to win four TT races in two consecutive years.
BMW Motorrad UK entered into road racing in 2014 to celebrate Meier’s famous victory of 75 years ago, in which he rode his factory Type 255 Kompressor and took BMW Motorrad’s first ever TT win. Joining forces with Hawk Racing, the team behind the Buildbase BMW Motorrad British Superbike entry, and supported by BMW Motorrad Motorsport in Germany, BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing was formed.
Beginning with the North West 200 in May, Dunlop and the team took victories in both the Superstock and Superbike classes as part of their build up to the Isle of Man TT. The BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing team have now added a further three TT trophies to the tally, proving that the BMW S 1000 RR is a force to be reckoned with in road racing.
For more information and live timing, or to download the full race results from today, visit www.iomtt.com.
The highlights from today’s racing will be broadcast on ITV4 at 9pm and will be available online via www.itv.com/itvplayer.
“More important than anything today is that my brother William is okay after his crash. We have rivalry, and people like to push that story, but that man matters more to me than any racing.
”The Senior TT race is the only one I’ve not won before at the Isle of Man and it’s very special to have won it today. I’ve given BMW Motorrad three wins here and we’ve repeated their victory in the Senior TT in 1939.
“At the start of this fortnight people were saying I was mad to be here on an unproven bike. I think now nobody will doubt the BMW S 1000 RR. The whole package is fantastic and the team have been brilliant. For BMW Motorrad to have built a bike that can come here for the first time, to survive six race laps without missing a beat, and to win… that is amazing.” – Michael Dunlop
“It’s been an unbelievable week – we’ve won three TT races on our very first attempt. I think it’ll take a few days to really settle in! It’s wonderful for our team and I have to thank everyone who helped make it happen, especially the lads from the Hawk Racing team who came over here and worked tirelessly on the bikes. Michael Dunlop rode amazingly well – in fact I don’t think any other rider could have come here and done what he did on the BMW S 1000 RR.” – Steve Hicken, Hawk Racing Team Manager
“First and foremost, the BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing team wish William Dunlop a fast and complete recovery from his crash today.
“All of us at BMW Motorrad are so pleased that Michael has won his first Senior TT race today, it’s a huge achievement for him and one he well deserves. But equally special for us is that he accomplished this feat riding a BMW S 1000 RR Superbike on the 75th anniversary of Georg Meier’s Senior TT win.
“We have to say a huge thank-you to Michael Dunlop for his riding in all three races; to the Hawk Racing team who have done such an amazing job preparing, maintaining and developing the motorcycles, and to our colleagues at BMW Motorrad Motorsport for their support and input. We’re now looking forward to the Ulster Grand Prix in August.” – Lee Nicholls, Marketing Manager for BMW Motorrad UK
More, from a press release issued by Penz13.com BMW Racing Team:
Penz13.com BMW Racing Team: Kruger withdraws from TT2014 out of respect for Andrews
Isle of Man. Canadian racer Dan Kruger withdraws from the 2014 Tourist Trophy Races at the Isle of Man out of respect of his late team mate Simon Andrews.
Kruger had to face a couple of things during those TT fortnight. Only one week before he was at Simon’s side when he passed away after his bad crash at the NorthWest 200.
Kruger took on the Isle of Man practices as Newcomer but was affected by bad weather and only a few laps. Furthermore the Canadian didn’t get his head free into racing. During yesterday’s, Thursday, final practice session, Kruger rode his last practice lap of the TT 2014 and withdraws from today’s Highlight race, the Senior TT over six laps.
Dan Kruger:
“It’s a hard time for all of us and first of all I want to thank my Penz13.com BMW Racing Team. They supported me in every aspect and never put pressure on me. We discussed my decision all together and everyone understood me. This year I just don’t get my head free and I only had too few laps round here. Wherever you look in the paddock, Simon is there and I withdraw from the race also out of respect for him and his family. At the TT 2015 I will give it another try to tackle the Mountain Course.”