Hawk BMW’s Michael Dunlop scorched to a 131.574mph lap in tonight’s Isle of Man TT Superbike practice session to demote Ian Hutchinson from overall top spot on the qualifying timesheet.
The Ballymoney man just got on a final lap on the S1000RR before switching to the Superstock bike while Hutchinson managed a faster lap on his Superstock than the Superbike. The Tyco BMW man had been fastest on a 130.691mph, upping his best fractionally from yesterday while King of the Mountain and legend John McGuinness put in his first 130mph lap of the week with a 130.497 despite reporting a strong headwind to Kirk Michael and then getting blown around at Les Graham Memorial.
McGuinness said that he had relaxed a bit this evening and had been trying too hard so far - ‘blowing out of my arse’ - but said he now had found his rhythm. Honda team-mate Conor Cummins was fourth fastest with a 129.764 while Dean Harrison had two laps very close together, the fastest of 129.742 on his second good enough for fifth.
bikesportnews.com columnist Michael Rutter set a 129.163mph from a standing start on his Bathams/SMT BMW and was fractionally slower on his second lap while Bruce Anstey was next on the RC213V, setting a 128.833 from a standing start but not able to better it and cruusing back on his last lap.
Steve Mercer got his personal hammer down for a 128.672, just in front of James Hiller - second in last year’s Senior with a 132mph lap - who set a best of 128.238 on the Quattro Kawasaki. Lee Johnston completed the top ten with a 128.092 while Peter Hickman set a best of 127.883 on the GBmoto Kawasaki.
