Michael Dunlop completed an Ulster GP hat-trick when he won the second Supersport race, which was, quite simply, the best race of the day. There was nothing between Dunlop and the Wilson Craig Racing duo of William Dunlop and Cameron Donald and it looked like William would finally get the better of his brother but he ran slightly wide on the exit of the hairpin and it gave Michael just enough of a gap to slip by.

“The competition was really good but the bike never missed a beat and the tyres were absolutely lovely,” said Dunlop. “The bike wasn’t as quick as the Hondas but we made up for it through the turns and it was another great, clean race.”

William was again disappointed to have missed out on the win, admitting it was a mistake at the hairpin that cost him. “I had a real good go on the last lap and thought I had it covered but I made a mistake at the hairpin at the wrong time and Michael didn’t need another invitation. I wasn’t going to get by after that and so we’ve had to settle for second again.”

It was Donald who led on the opening lap from Michael Dunlop, Gary Johnson, Guy Martin and William Dunlop but it soon became a three-way battle at the front as William moved onto the back wheel of Michael. Donald continued to lead across the line as Martin slipped off the back of the trio and Johnson ran in a lonely fifth. Further back, it was an all Honda battle as Keith Amor, Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness battled for sixth.

At half race distance, there was still only 0.7s between the front three and by lap 5 this was down to 0.3s as the fans were treated to a high speed battle all around the course, only inches between the leading trio. On lap 5 Donald tried to make a break but by the end of the lap the Dunlops were back with him and Michael hit the front along the Flying Kilo as they went onto their final lap. Donald was back in front by Deers Leap but he ran wide on the exit and dropped to third as Michael led into Cochranstown.

The two Dunlops went into Ireland’s side by side but William squeezed by at Lougher’s before it was all sorted out at the Hairpin and any hopes William had of fighting back were then dashed as the leaders encountered backmarkers at the Quarry Bends and so Michael duly took his third win of the day.

Martin and Johnson were secure in fourth and fifth whilst a last lap sort out saw Amor take sixth from Anstey and McGuinness, the latter being overhauled by the other two towards the end. Meanwhile, Ben Wylie and Dan Kneen had a race long battle from the second wave and were rewarded with ninth and tenth.

1 Michael Dunlop (Yamaha)

2 William Dunlop (Honda) +0.804s

3 Cameron Donald (Honda) +1.339s

4 Guy Martin (Suzuki) +8.040s

5 Gary Johnson (Honda) +21.423s

6 Keith Amor (Honda) +27.130s

7 Bruce Anstey (Honda) +23.369s

8 John McGuinness (Honda) +23.597s

9 Ben Wylie (Yamaha) +43.522s

10 Dan Kneen (Yamaha) +43.626s

Fastest lap: Michael Dunlop (128.20mph)