Isle of Man TT 2026: Dunlop Dominates Supersport and Sportbike

• Michael Dunlop clocked around 123 mph on the Paton in Sportbike and set the pace in Supersport at approximately 128.7 mph on the V2 Ducati.
• Peter Hickman was among the fastest challengers across multiple classes on the day.
• Racing begins on Saturday at 10:45 AM with the Superstock race.

On the final practice day of the Isle of Man TT 2026, the smaller classes took center stage in the afternoon. Supersport and Sportbike shared the track, and for many riders it was the last opportunity to fine-tune setup and build confidence on the Snaefell Mountain Course before the start of racing. Michael Dunlop had been setting the pace in these classes throughout the entire practice week and underlined his dominant form once again on Friday.

Who Was Fastest in Supersport and Sportbike Qualifying?

Michael Dunlop was the fastest in both classes. In Supersport he set the pace at around 128.7 mph on the V2 Ducati, while in Sportbike he led the field at approximately 123 mph on the Paton.

Dunlop’s advantage was clear in both classes. The live commentary emphasized that his pace on the smaller machines had been virtually untouchable all week and that he was able to take wider, faster lines on the course than his rivals.

How Fast Was Michael Dunlop in Supersport?

In Supersport, Dunlop led with approximately 128.7 mph. This pace was part of a series of fast laps he had delivered on the Ducati throughout the week.

On Wednesday, Dunlop had broken the Supersport practice record three times in succession, ultimately lowering it to 129.557 mph. The official Supersport lap record stands at 17:21.605 minutes, set by Dunlop in 2023 on a Yamaha R6. His closest challengers in Supersport were Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison.

What Happened in the Sportbike Class?

In the Sportbike class, Dunlop also set the fastest time at around 123 mph on the Paton. At the speed trap, he was clocked at 172 mph on the Sportbike, well ahead of Hickman at 157 mph.

This speed trap gap illustrates how much top speed Dunlop extracts from his machine. Paul Jordan lost a lap when his chain came off, returned via the open roads, and subsequently recorded his fastest Sportbike lap yet at 121.8 mph. Jordan had achieved a podium finish in the Sportbike race the previous year and once again counts among the wider group of contenders.

Why Is Mikey Evans’ Return Noteworthy?

Mikey Evans returned to the track after his crash at Greeba Castle on Wednesday. He rode the Flitwick Yamaha in Sportbike and is still considered a podium contender according to the course commentary.

Evans took a cautious approach. In an interview at the pit, he explained that he initially wanted to ride only what was necessary, as racing begins on Saturday and a six-lap race is scheduled for Sunday. He spoke about feeling more comfortable again after a cautious first lap and enjoying riding the course once more.

How Did Peter Hickman Perform?

Peter Hickman was one of the strongest challengers across multiple classes on the day. In Supersport he rode the Triumph, in Sportbike the Yamaha R7, and in both he was close to the front.

Hickman has said he is not at one hundred percent physically, which is particularly noticeable on the smaller machines as the taller rider has to tuck tightly onto the motorcycle over long stretches. With the Sportbike, he is also gaining experience for a possible future in which the class could play a larger role.

Who Made Headlines Beyond the Front Runners?

There was also movement behind the top riders. Newcomer Gary McCoy is making steady progress on the Man Cross Racing Suzuki and is coping well with the course according to his team.

Mitch Rees, the previous year’s newcomer, recorded his fastest Supersport lap at 123.452 mph. Josh Brookes, two-time British Superbike champion in 2015 and 2020 and World Supersport third-place finisher, traditionally builds up gradually over the week and was closing in on the leading group. In the day’s Sportbike session classification, Dunlop, Hickman and Evans were named as the three fastest riders.

When Do the Isle of Man TT 2026 Races Begin?

Racing begins on Saturday at 10:45 AM with the three-lap Superstock race. Friday afternoon’s Supersport and Sportbike qualifying was one of the final benchmarks before competition gets underway.

It marks the conclusion of the 2026 practice week, at the end of which the favorites for each class have been established. The sidecars will not take part in the remainder of the event following several serious incidents.

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