Dominant Dunlop in Supertwins 1 (of course…)

Dunlop does what Dunlop does in ‘twins, but maiden podiums for Evans and Hodson.

In a result that surprised no-one, pre-race favourite Michael Dunlop romped away to the win in the Metzeler Supertwin TT Race 1, but behind him there was an emotional second place for birthday boy Mikey Evans and fellow podium debutant Rob Hodson.

It was a record extending 31^st TT win for Dunlop, who has proved almost unstoppable in the class on his Paton, in a two-lap sprint. With bad weather seeing the race pushed back into the evening, starting at 7.45pm, TT 2025’s first Supertwin outing was cut back by a lap – running straight through without a pit stop.

Despite commenting on a lack of outright speed from his trusty Paton, it was a routine win for Dunlop and the result moves him on to a total of 48 career podiums at the TT, surpassing the record of 47 held by John McGuinness going into this year’s event.

With Peter Hickman injured and unable to see if developments to his Yamaha R7 would help him take the fight to the pace setting Paton, pre-race attention turned to Davey Todd – the only other member of TT racing’s ‘Big Four’ to ride in the lightweight class – but the Superbike TT winner struggled for speed on his Padgett’s Motorcycles modified Paton, slipping back from third in the opening stages to come home fifth.

But the biggest cheers came for local rider Evans, celebrating his 32^nd birthday with a hugely popular podium. Starting fifth, 10 seconds ahead of Dunlop, he was able to hang with the G.O.A.T. for a while as he brought his Dafabet Kawasaki home to a comfortable second – 22 seconds behind Dunlop but 13 seconds clear of the battle for third. It capped a memorable evening for the Manxman, who had set a personal best lap time in the preceding Superstock TT as he broke through the 130mph barrier for the first time.

After the race, a near speechless Evans said: “I dreamed about this for so much of my life. I worked so hard to be here. You believe and imagine yourself being here but you never know if you will (stand on the podium). I don’t really know what to say, but it is the best birthday present ever. It was surreal to be wheel-to-wheel with Michael Dunlop, with a (television) helicopter following us. I can’t believe it, I am on cloud nine!”

Hodson took the final podium place on his Paton, battling through the traffic from start number 15. He took third by less than two seconds, leading to an anxious wait for Paul Jordan, who had led out on bike number one. The Irishman crossed the line first but, with the TT being a time trial, finished fourth on corrected time – making him the top Aprilia runner.

Popular Geordie Dominic Herbertson was sixth on another Paton, with Adam McLean the top Yamaha runner in seventh.

The Supertwins are now parked up until Friday’s Entire Cover Supertwin TT 2, and although Dunlop is a nailed on favourite to extend his record number of TT wins, behind him it’s wide open in this exciting class. 

Photos: Isle of Man TT Races