Michael Dunlop edged ever closer to uncle Joey’s record haul of 26 TT wins on Sunday afternoon, with the Ulsterman drawing level with John McGuinness’s tally of 23 wins after winning the six-lap Superbike race.

It was Dunlop’s first victory in a ‘big bike’ race since victory in the corresponding race five years and came after scoring a similarly formidable victory in the first of the event's Supersport TT races.

The wins crown a career-making few days for Dunlop, whose return to form on the 1000cc bike saw him break Peter Hickman's five-year old lap record in Friday practice. He also became the first person to officially (in a race) record a 135mph lap of the Mountain Course, even if his second lap effort of 135.046mph was obliterated by Hickman's 135.445mph on the final tour.

“It’s good to be back on a big bike,” he said afterwards. “People doubted me so I can’t say enough to Stuart and Steve Hicken and my other sponsors for sticking by me. I kept at it as I knew inside me I’d still got it and I really enjoyed the race.”

“The big bikes take so much torture around this place and to beat Pete (Hickman) and Dean (Harrison) who are at the top of the game, takes some doing. I had to push to prove I could still win on a big bike.”

“The second lap of 135mph felt good but I felt I had more in me and could have gone faster if I needed to. But once I got that gap, I didn’t need to push for the lap times and just wanted the win. With the lead above 20s, I rolled off on the last couple of laps and I was so nervous to keep the bike running.”

McGuinness pulled in to parc ferme after he’d completed his race to congratulate Dunlop and he was quick to pay tribute to his fellow Honda rider.

“John’s record speaks for itself so to draw level with him is a real honour. He’s been a great ambassador to the TT, and still is, so to get to 23 wins feels good. I’m just delighted to have won.”

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