Michael Dunlop secured his 30th career Isle of Man TT victory by winning Monday’s Supersport race, marking Ducati’s first TT win since 1995. The Northern Irish racer has dominated the Supersport category since 2019 and extended his unbeaten streak in the 2025 opening race. Despite trailing Honda’s Dean Harrison by nearly eight seconds after the first lap, Dunlop surged ahead to win by over ten seconds at the finish.
This 30th TT triumph came with Dunlop riding for his seventh different manufacturer, having switched from Yamaha to Ducati for the 2025 Supersport class. His win also ended a long drought for Ducati, which last tasted TT success when Robert Holden won the Singles TT in 1995. Although Dunlop faced challenges during practice week and struggled initially on the Ducati Panigale V2, a key adjustment at the pit stop enabled him to unleash his pace and ultimately dominate the race.
Reflecting on the victory during an interview with Manx Radio TT, Dunlop praised his Milwaukee team and Ducati for their hard work and dedication to winning. He acknowledged the learning curve involved with adapting to the V-twin bikes and expressed satisfaction in bringing Ducati back to the forefront. Dunlop compared the new bike to a big machine, noting the difficulty of mastering it quickly but emphasizing the team’s progress and the bike’s strong performance.
Dunlop’s debut win on the Ducati was a highlight, especially after his earlier plans to compete with Paul Bird Motorsport in a big bike class fell through years ago. Aside from his Supersport success, he also finished a close second in the Superbike TT, narrowly missing the win by just 1.2 seconds to race winner Davie Todd, despite contending with rear tire issues.
Fan Take: This milestone win for Dunlop and Ducati reignites excitement in the TT racing community, showcasing how a legendary rider combined with a historic brand can shake up the competition. It signals a promising resurgence for Ducati at the Isle of Man TT and underscores the evolving dynamics of motorcycle racing at this iconic event.
