2016 Ulster GP: Hutchinson does Superbike double with new lap record
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03/07/2017
Ian Hutchinson set a new outright lap record in the final race of the day at the Ulster Grand Prix, lapping at 134.089mph on his way to victory in the second Superbike race. It was his fourth win of the day as he saw off the substantial challenge of Bruce Anstey by 0.8s with Michael Dunlop taking a close third.
Hutchinson’s victory meant he also became only the third rider in the history of the event to win four or more wins in a day after Phillip McCallen (1996) and Guy Martin (2006).
Peter Hickman, out on his Superstock mount, got the drop when the lights went green but it was Dean Harrison who took over as they swept through Rock Bends. His lead didn’t last long though as Hutchinson took the lead at Deer’s Leap and at the end of the lap, he led from Dunlop, Harrison, Hickman, Anstey and Dan Kneen.
Second time around and Hutchinson seemed to miss a gear at the Windmill and that allowed both Dunlop and Anstey to go through, the latter the quickest man on the circuit on the second lap. The leading group were closing up and only a second covered the leading six riders.
On the third lap, both Anstey and Hutchinson shot by Dunlop along the Flying Kilo and at the end of the lap Anstey’s advantage over Hutchinson was just 0.05s. Dunlop still sat in third ahead of Harrison, Kneen and Cummins with the Manxman just missing the outright lap record with a speed of 133.855mph.
There was still nothing between the top six on the fourth lap but a small sort out at the hairpin saw the pack split into two groups of three and it was clear the victory would be fought between Anstey, Hutchinson and Dunlop.
Hutchinson put his Tyco BMW back into the lead on the penultimate lap, passing Anstey on the approach to Deer’s Leap, and he started to open up a gap. Anstey closed in on the run through Jordan’s Cross on the final lap but having been strongest all day through Quarry Bends, he took a brilliant victory and the outright lap record to boot.
Anstey ended his day with a good second ahead of Dunlop with Cummins, Harrison and Kneen completing the top six. Hickman slipped back to seventh with Gary Johnson just getting the better of Steve Mercer and Derek Sheils for eighth. Dan Hegarty was again the best newcomer in 13th.
