Senior Classic TT: Protest nearly jeopardised Michael Dunlop’s victory

Although he has demonstrated more than impressively, with 36 victories at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, that he is the he is the ‘master of the house’, one rival evidently refused to believe that his triumph at the Formula One Classic TT – where he had smashed Bruce Anstey’s lap record – had been achieved fairly.

As a protest had been lodged against the Classic Suzuki team, the engine of his bike had to be removed and dismantled. Because it was then a matter of urgency to get the motorbike back in working order in time for the Senior Classic TT, which was taking place just two days later, a mistake was made during the hasty reassembly, resulting in an oil leak during the race.

“Most of the time I had to concentrate on not slipping off the footrest; that made me nervous for two laps,” said the 37-year-old Northern Irishman from Ballymoney in his winner’s interview with Manx Radio after beating Isle of Man-based Briton Jamie Coward and local hero Nathan Harrison.

“The bike ran perfectly the whole time. The mechanics did a brilliant job all week, so I’m particularly pleased that I was able to thank them with a one-two finish, and that makes me extremely happy.”

Formula One Classic TT results, Isle of Man, 23 August 2026

1. Michael Dunlop (GB), 3 laps in 53:32.950 mins. 2. Jamie Coward (GB), Kawasaki, 20.579 sec behind. 3. Mike Browne (IRL), Kawasaki, +27.524 sec. 4. Nathan Harrison (GBM), Kawasaki. 5. David Johnson (AUS), Kawasaki, 6. Michael Sweeney (IRL), Kawasaki. 7. Julian Trummer (A), Kawasaki. 8. Joe Yeardsley (GB), Kawasaki.

Senior Classic TT Results, Isle of Man, 25 August 2026

1. Michael Dunlop (GB), Suzuki, 4 laps in 1:11:47.331 mins. 2. Jamie Coward (GB), Kawasaki, 11.680 sec behind. 3. Nathan Harrison (GBM), Kawasaki, +45.636 seconds. 4. Shaun Anderson (GB), Suzuki. 5. Joe Yeardsley (GBM), Kawasaki. 6. Michael Sweeney (IRL), Kawasaki. 7. Paul Williams (GB), Kawasaki. 8. Joey Thompson (GB), Suzuki. 9. Ryan Whitehall (GB), Yamaha. 10. Kevin Keys (GB), Kawasaki. Also: Julian Trummer (A), Kawasaki, DNF.