Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/833352
IN THE WIND P40 HUTCHINSON, DUNLOP TAKE OPENING TT WINS I an Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop won the opening races at the Isle of Man TT, with Hutchinson claiming honors in the Superbike TT and Dunlop in the Supersport TT. Hutchinson's (BMW) win in the six-lap Superbike TT marked his 15th career victory, and saw him edge out British Superbike rider Peter Hickman (BMW), who claimed his first ever TT podium and only missed out on the win by a tiny 1.6 seconds after over 200 miles of racing. Dean Har- rison (Kawasaki) took third place, and early race favorite Michael Dunlop (Suzuki) retired on lap two of the race with mechanical troubles. The race distilled into a four- rider battle between the four Hs: Hutchinson, Hickman, Harrison and Kawasaki rider James Hillier. It took until half race distance for Hutchinson to take over at the front from Harrison, who had earlier stolen the lead from Hillier. By lap four, Harrison had taken back the lead by just 0.6 seconds, stretching that gap to four seconds by the end of the second pit, the pendulum swung back decisively to Hutchinson, who emerged 10 seconds clear of Hickman. Going into the final lap, Hutchinson still led but the gap to Hickman was only 7.9 seconds at Glen Helen, and by Ballaugh, it was only 2.5 seconds. Har- rison was now in third, as Hillier experienced fuel problems and the thrilling race still saw just 9.5 seconds split the top four. Hickman had reduced the gap further still at Ramsey Hairpin to 1.6 seconds and it was all going to come down to the final run up and down the Mountain. And with a final lap of 130.738 mph, it was Hutchinson who prevailed by five seconds despite Hickman being the quicker over the final 37.73 miles at 131.103 mph. Fourth went to Hiller followed by Dan Kneen (Honda), Michael Rutter (BMW), David Johnson (Norton), Josh Brookes (Norton), William Dunlop (Yamaha) and Martin Jessop (BMW). In the Supersport TT, Dun- lop made amends by taking his 14th TT victory and equaling the great Mike Hailwood on the TT winner's tally. He headed home Hillier (Kawasaki) and Triumph rider Hickman, who took his second podium in two races at the 2017 TT. Northern Ireland rider Dunlop overhauled Hillier halfway through the first lap, but it was only on the final lap that he pulled clear as he took his first 600cc win since 2014, although Hickman set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap at 126.848 mph. William Dunlop (Yamaha) had to settle for fourth with Hutchin- son (Yamaha) an unusually distant fifth after dominating the class in both 2015 and 2016—his run of 11 successive podium finishes ending. Gary Johnson (Triumph) completed the top six ahead of Bruce Anstey (Honda). Dan Kneen (Honda) fought his way back up to eighth as Conor Cummins (Honda) and James Cowton (Kawasaki) rounded out the top 10. CN (Top) Hutchinson savors the feeling of victory. (Bottom) Dunlop etched his name further into the record books with his Supersport win, his 14th TT triumph. PHOTOGRAPHY BY IOMTT.COM