Michael Dunlop, the legendary “Man of Man Tote Ace,” made a triumphant return to Northern Ireland’s Tandragee 100 Road Race by securing a victory in the 1000cc race. The County Armagh event, which last took place in 2022, made a comeback this year following extensive resurfacing of the racecourse roads.
Since the last Tandragee 100, Michael Dunlop has etched his name into racing history, becoming the most successful rider ever at the Isle of Man TT. In 2024, he surpassed the late Joey Dunlop’s record, achieving 26 TT wins. Recently, he further extended his record to 33 wins after claiming four more victories at this year’s TT.
Dunlop has enjoyed a remarkably successful season so far, with wins not only at the TT but also at the North West 200 and Cookstown 100. After a hiatus from Tandragee since 2013, Dunlop celebrated his return on Saturday by winning a five-lap open race. Riding an MD Racing BMW in the Superstock class, he narrowly edged out Michael Sweeney by just 0.4 seconds, overtaking Sweeney who had led earlier.
Dunlop then claimed a second victory in a Superbike feature race at the day’s end, again besting Sweeney by 8.059 seconds over six laps, showcasing his dominance on his BMW. Sean Anderson finished third, having previously won the classic superbike race on a Norton, followed by Manxman Connor Cummins. Anderson also secured a podium spot in the open race earlier on Saturday by outpacing Mike Brown, who took fourth place.
Brown, however, triumphed in the Supersport class, winning both Friday evening and Saturday races. On Saturday, he beat Dunlop by 3.545 seconds, with Dunlop facing challenges after a qualifying issue on his Ducati V2 Panigale, starting 17th on the grid. Despite this, Dunlop set a new lap record in his class and fought hard to reach the podium in the revised race.
Looking ahead, Michael Dunlop is set to compete next month at the Southern 100 Isle of Man, where he will face off against fellow TT stars Dean Harrison and Davy Todd.
Fan Take: Michael Dunlop’s return and continued dominance underscore why he remains a key figure in road racing, thrilling fans around the world. His fierce rivalries and record-breaking performances keep the sport exciting and push competitors to new heights, promising even more spectacular races ahead.
