Supersport TT 2: Dunlop doubles up on Ducati debut

It was never in doubt really…

Michael Dunlop’s dominance of the smaller capacity classes at TT 2025 continues with a straightforward victory in the four-lap Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 today.

Having given Ducati its first TT victory in 30 years in Monday’s shortened first Supersport TT, the 36-year-old Supersport king ran a special yellow livery, a colour historically linked to the Italian manufacturer’s middleweight machines. Looking more comfortable on the Panigale V2, which he is racing at the TT for the first time, he was unstoppable in the second outing. The result marked Dunlop’s 31^st TT win and his eighth successive victory in the middleweight class.

Conditions were not perfect for the second Supersport TT, with high winds on the mountain section of the course, but the Northern Irish rider made it look like a Sunday ride out, the only momentary concern coming at his pit stop – where his V-twin took a few seconds to fire up.

Dunlop was joined on the podium by Dean Harrison and Davey Todd, meaning the ‘Big Three’ filled the podium for the third time this TT. The Honda pair both had minor issues with their CBR600RRs, Todd being without a back brake from halfway through lap one and Harrison having a throttle problem on the last lap, but both graciously admitted they had nothing on Dunlop, who won by 26 seconds in the end.

Speaking after the race, Dunlop said: “I expected Dean to be quick at the start but I got my act together from the get go and gave myself less work to do. We had a bit of a nervy pitstop, she didn’t want to fire for a bit, but the bike was mint. We had a little bit of a front end issue, but it might have been the wind. I just kept going and I am delighted to get the double for Ducati, for my team and all the sponsors, without who none of this would be possible.”

Behind the top three was an intriguing battle between some of the next generation of TT stars. Irish rider Paul Jordan, who set off at number one, eventually finished fourth ahead of Suzuki-mounted Jim Hind – the pair swapping places on the timesheets throughout the race. Jordan’s team-mate at Jackson Racing Honda, Josh Brookes, was sixth – appearing perplexed at his pace after sticking to a Gentleman’s agreement with Todd.

The Australian had stuck in his rival’s slipstream in Monday’s first Supersport TT, something Todd said had slowed him down, but today he let his fellow Honda rider go in order that both could ride in clean air. Brookes admitted he found it harder to ride as quickly on his own, saying after the race that he needed to look at his own riding.

Mike Browne was seventh on a Yamaha, ahead of Ducati privateer Dominic Herbertson, with Ian Hutchinson and Michael Evans, fresh from his Supertwin TT podium the night before, rounding out the top 10. James Hillier, third in the first Supersport TT, was again running strongly but broke down on lap two.

Rain came in shortly after the flag fell at the end of the Supersport TT, meaning the scheduled second Sidecar TT and solo practice were postponed, but for 2025 the supersport machines have been parked up – with Michael Dunlop scoring a 100% win record for the fourth consecutive year.

Photos: Isle of Man TT Races