Michael Dunlop delivered a commanding performance in the opening Super Twin race at the 2025 Man TT Island, securing his 31st career win and his second triumph of the week. The Northern Irish rider, who had claimed his 30th victory earlier on Monday in the week’s first Supersport race, competed in Tuesday’s Super Twin event after a disappointing third-place finish in the Superstock class.
Starting strong, Dunlop quickly took a 2.2-second lead over Paton at Glen Helen on the first lap and then surged ahead to cross the finish line with a significant margin. This victory marked Dunlop’s third consecutive win in the Super Twin class, boosting his career total to 31 wins and earning him his 48th podium finish.
His closest rival, Michael Evans, riding a Kawasaki backed by Dafabet, finished second, earning his first-ever TT podium. Rob Hodson claimed third place on a Paton bike at his debut event, after a fierce battle for the final podium spot.
The race was shortened from three laps to two due to weather delays. Dunlop quickly took the lead on the opening lap and steadily increased his advantage, leading Evans by 2.2 seconds at Glen Helen, 5.9 seconds at Ballaugh, and breaking away by 9.3 seconds approaching Ramsey. By the end of the first lap, he had extended his lead to over 10 seconds with an average speed of 122.006 mph.
On the second lap, Dunlop continued to push hard, extending his lead to 13.6 seconds at Glen Helen while narrowly missing the lap record with a top speed of 122.61 mph. Evans struggled with traffic after getting caught behind Paton. Rob Hodson, who fought hard against Paul Jordan and Davy Todd, secured third place by 1.757 seconds ahead of Jordan, with Todd finishing fifth.
Dominique Herbertson finished sixth, followed by Adam McLaren, Stefano Bonetti, Buzz Farber, and Michael Lutter. Mike Brown, an early contender for a podium finish, retired during the opening lap at Glen Helen.
Fan Take: Michael Dunlop’s dominating performance underscores why he remains a legendary figure at the Man TT, thrilling fans with his unmatched skill and competitive spirit. This race not only highlights the intense competition in Super Twin but also signals an exciting future for the sport with emerging talents challenging the established stars.
