After five third place finishes, DAO Racing Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison saved the best until last at the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races as he claimed second behind Peter Hickman in the Senior race.

Forced to play almost a supporting act to Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop, Harrison was finally able to split the pair in the closing six-lap race, aided by his fastest lap of the week, 134.735mph, which fell just short of his personal best lap set in the corresponding race five years ago.

Third had already been taken on the Kawasaki in the Superbike and Superstock races with the same result achieved on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha in the two Supersport race. However, he was far more prominent in the Senior especially on the opening lap when he led Hickman in the early stages.

“I got my head down from the start and went from there,” he said. “I got into a good rhythm, and I didn’t want to let anyone go but, on the day, I think second was the best we could’ve had. But it’s nice to finish second and not third again!”

Although unable to add to his tally of three wins, Harrison did extend his total number of TT podiums to 26 – the eighth highest total of all-time – and again proved that, along with Hickman and Dunlop, he’s a step ahead of the rest of the field.

“We come here to try and win but obviously everybody else is trying to do the same thing and Pete and Michael have been riding really well so hats off to them.”

“It’s been a tough event, but I have to say full credit to the team. The bikes haven’t missed a beat all fortnight. I’ve ridden so many laps, the weather has been brilliant, and we’ve had plenty of podiums.”

> 2023 Isle of Man TT Results - SBK, SSP, SSTK, STwins, Sidecar <