A second podium position in as many weeks on Chris Dowds CD Racing R6 Yamaha at the Skerries Road Races on Saturday, set 22 year old Ballymoney ace William Dunlop up in good stead in preparation for this weeks Southern 100 in the Isle of Man.
In what could only be described as difficult weekend for the organisers on Saturday, Dunlop and the CD Racing Team had no such problem as far as the 600 Supersport machine went with Dunlop opting to ride the 600 in the Open Race, after he struggled with handling problems on the CD Yamaha R1 during practise.
A fine seventh place in the Open Race was soon followed up with a super second place finish in the Supersport 600 race where William came home behind Ryan Farquhar.
In a fitting end to the days racing, Dunlop took his second 250cc win on the roads in as many weeks after he beat younger brother Michael on PJ Flynns Honda.
He said "It's been a very good weekend for us all. When I got up this morning I thought, that's it, we'll be heading home, as the rain was really chucking it down and I thought that there was no way that racing could go ahead. In a strange turn of luck, it stopped and the place dried up real fast, and away we went.
"I decided not to take the Superbike out in the Open Race as we had handling problems with it in practise, so I said I would take out the CD Yamaha Supersport bike for some laps. She is going real well and I enjoy riding it, and I must confess that I was satisfied to take seventh place in the Open.
"In the Supersport 600 race, it was a real ding dong battle between myself, Ryan Farquhar, Keith Amor and Gary Johnson. The four of us were nip and tuck for about four laps before Ryan and I got a break away from the others. Ryan had a bit of an edge on me and in the end he beat me by about three seconds. I am really pleased not only to have finished the race, but to have taken second in front of two riders of Amor and Johnsons calibre.
In the 250cc race I managed to take another win on Paddy Flynns Honda after I beat my brother Michael.
"I just had that extra turn off speed over Michael and was able to eat away at the front, so that gives me alot of confidence before next weeks Southern 100. I sat out the 125 race as I wanted to give my all in the Grand Final, but unfortunately a serious accident in the final race saw the day come to a premature end. Summing up, I am taking today's results as very positive, and its been a while since I felt this good".
He will contest the Southern 100 on 125 and 250cc machines only.
Speaking prior to boarding the boat to the Isle of Man this morning Dunlop said: "I will just be racing in the 125 and 250cc class's at the Southern 100. Chris Dowds and I have decided that the CD Racing bikes, 600 and Superbike, will be rebuilt in preparation for next weekends Walderstown races. It suits me fine to be honest, as I have not had a run out on the 125 bike for a couple of weeks now. It will also give me more time to concentrate on the smaller bikes".
