2016 Ulster GP: Hutchinson makes it three with second Supersport win

Ian Hutchinson took his third win of the day at Saturday’s Ulster Grand Prix when he pipped William Dunlop on the run in to the line in the second Supersport race. Dunlop had led for much of the way but Hutchinson pulled off a brave maneouvre around the outside at Quarry Bends on the final lap to take the win on the CAME BPT Yamaha by just a tenth of a second.

It was Hutchinson who led away from the line only for Dunlop to take over the number one position through Jordan’s Cross. He continued to lead at the end of the first lap with race one winner Bruce Anstey slotting into third ahead of team-mate Conor Cummins as just 0.4s covered the quartet.

The second lap saw the battle for the lead go from four riders to seven as Dean Harrison, Dan Kneen and Peter Hickman joined the leading group and by the end of lap three only one second covered them! The lead had changed hands a couple of times with Hutchinson getting back into the lead along the Flying Kilo only for Dunlop to retaliate through Jordan’s Cross once more.

Dunlop continued to enjoy a slender advantage on the fourth lap but as they started lap five, Anstey moved up second along the Flying Kilo to briefly challenge for the lead. Hutchinson fought his way back up to second half way round the lap and as they started the final lap, Dunlop’s lead over his fellow Yamaha rider was only 0.04s as 1.8s still only split the top seven.

Kneen’s strong ride ended when he slid off at Leathemstown and the race was anyone’s as a blanket covered the top six riders. Anstey was clearly lining up a pass on Hutchinson but Hickman had other ideas and he went up to third at Wheeler’s which halted Anstey’s charge. Dunlop still led at the hairpin and looked like he’d done enough to keep Hutchinson behind him but the latter wasn’t to be denied and having looked strong through the final section on previous laps, he stole the lead and held on for another great win.

Dunlop was disappointed to have led for so long only to finish second whilst Hickman was delighted with third after two retirements earlier in the day. Cummins got the better of Harrison for fifth with Gary Johnson having a lonely ride into seventh. Christian Elkin, Dan Cooper and Paul Jordan completed the top ten.