TT 2016: Dunlop targets 135mph lap after Superbike victory

Michael Dunlop said there was more to come after winning Saturday’s Superbike TT race when he shattered the lap and race records and became the first man to lap the Mountain Course in less than 17 minutes - not once but twice.

The 27-year old’s first two laps were both under 17 minutes, the quickest being 133.393mph to win by 19s from Ian Hutchinson, who was also inside the outright lap record, with John McGuinness claiming third. His race winning time was a staggering 1m15.643s inside the old race record.

“I thought we might have been on the back foot a bit when we got here and if anyone could have seen where the bike was built, no-one would have believed it – it’s the smallest workshop I’ve ever seen,” Dunlop said afterwards. “Stuart (Hicken) said he couldn’t give me a factory bike but he could do his best and that was good enough for me so I can’t thank the boys enough.”

“I had a few issues in final practice so gave the boys a bit of work to do but I put in two good, steady laps from the beginning and that put me in the lead. It’s an honour to ride for the team and great to win, especially doing it off our own backs. 133mph from a standing start is pretty good!”

“There’s definitely more in me and I think 134mph is possible, maybe even a 135.”