Tyco Suzuki’s William Dunlop claimed his maiden International big bike victory on Saturday afternoon when he won the shortened 5-lap Superbike race at a wet North West 200, overhauling brother Michael at the final Juniper chicane. The Tyco Suzuki rider had a five second lead after three laps but once Michael had fought his way through to second he rapidly closed in.
The BMW rider, who was back in seventh at the end of the opening lap after a bad start, took the lead for the first time at the Metropole on the final lap but William, who had been strong on the brakes all race, dived up the inside at the Juniper chicane and resisted Michael's challenge at the final corner to win by 0.545s.
"I'm glad to get the win as I'd been struggling a bit this week," admitted Dunlop afterwards. "It was really hard keeping the concentration out front and it felt like a seven lap race rather than a five lap one so it was tough going. The bike was really good on the brakes but it was tough when the tyres started going off as my head starts telling me 'I don't like this' when that starts happening. I'm really pleased to get my first International Superbike win and it's not bad going for a 600 rider."
It was Ian Hutchinson, showing well for the first time this week, who grabbed the early initiative and he led until Station Corner on the second lap when William took over. Hutchinson was then locked in battle with Conor Cummins, which resulted in the pair of them taking to the grass at Mather's Cross.
However, Michael, who was looking to give BMW their first International Superbike victory, was coming all the time and whilst William made the most of the clear road, he overhauled Michael Rutter, Hutchinson and Conor Cummins in quick succession to move up to second. A series of fastest laps allowed him to catch William and although it looked like he'd timed his run perfectly, William had other ideas and upstaged his younger sibling.
Cummins gave Honda some cheer with a good third with Rutter getting the better of Hutchinson for fourth. Simon Andrews had a lowly ride into sixth with Gary Johnson, who started from the second group, seventh ahead of Josh Brookes - riding his BSB-spec R1 with no traction control - Guy Martin - who was docked ten seconds for a chicane infringement - and Horst Saiger.
John McGuinness, James Hillier and Bruce Anstey were amongst the retirements whilst Alastair Seeley and Lee Johnston sat the race out after their earlier Supersport crash.
