Mondello Park in Co Kildare is hosting the third round of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship this weekend, with Michael Dunlop among the participants.
he Ballymoney rider tore open the record books at the Armoy Road Races last month when he took five wins in five starts and hit his 2013 lap record.
In addition, he crowned a dominant weekend with a ninth record win in a row in the blue ribbon “Race of Legends” at his home game to the delight of thousands of fans.
Dunlop has accumulated miles in the domestic short circuit scene this year as well as in England, where it has participated in a number of British Superbike tests and in the National Superstock 1000 race at Oulton Park earlier this season.
The 19-time Isle of Man TT winner will compete in the Cookstown 100 next month (September 10-11) for the first time since 2018, the last Irish national road race of a season effectively wiped out for a second year due to the effects of Covid-19.
Road racing driver Michael Sweeney is the surprising leader of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after the first two laps, with the Dubliner eight points ahead of his Irish road racing colleague Derek Sheils.
Sweeney took his first podium at the season opener in Mondello and a constant run of five second places has put the MJR BMW driver in the title driver’s seat with three races to go.
Sheils, a former Masters champion, and Kilkenny’s Richie Ryan – the reigning champion – will try to make up ground across the international circuit this weekend, while Ballymena’s Luke Johnston will also pose a podium hazard on his return to the series.
Kevin Keyes and Mike Browne are the main protagonists in the Supersport class, though both are wary of the threat posed by Dunlop, who was impressive on his Yamaha R6 at the Ulster Superbike races in Kirkistown and Bishopscourt this year.
In the Supertwin class, Sweeney is a clear favorite for the title as he tries to keep his winning streak of six straight wins.
A full range of support races will also be held, with the opening races for each class taking place after qualifying today. A stacked racing card closes the meeting tomorrow.
Qualifying for the British round of the MotoGP World Championship is now taking place in Silverstone.
Title leader Fabio Quartararo was yesterday on the works Yamaha with 0.5 seconds ahead of the Aussie Jack Miller (Lenovo Ducati) fastest. MotoGP debutant and home hero Jake Dixon finished 21st (Petronas Yamaha). The race will be broadcast on ITV tomorrow from 12.30 p.m.
Download the Belfast Telegraph app
Get quick and easy access to the latest Northern Ireland news, sports, business and opinions with the Belfast Telegraph App.
No comments:
Post a Comment