Record-Breaker: Dunlop Blasts Lap Record as 2026 Season Roars to Life

Motorsport | Irish Road Racing | April 2026

Michael Dunlop laid down a terrifying marker for the 2026 season, securing four victories and repeatedly shattering the outright lap record at a sun-drenched Cookstown 100.

The Ballymoney man was in peerless form, though he was pushed throughout the weekend by Michael Sweeney. Sweeney finished as runner-up to Dunlop on three separate occasions but ensured he didn’t leave empty-handed, claiming a well-deserved victory in the Supertwin race.

Friday Results Highlights

The action began with blistering pace during the Friday sessions:

• Open A Invitation: 1. Michael Dunlop, 2. Michael Sweeney, 3. Marcus Simpson, 4. Darryl Tweed, 5. Paul Jordan, 6. Neil Kernohan.
• Classic Superbike/Supersport: 1. Darryl Tweed, 2. Marcus Simpson, 3. Graham McAleese.
• Supertwin B: 1. Joe Loughlin, 2. William Grant, 3. Daniel Pearson.

Saturday Race Day: Full Top 6 Standings

The Big Bike & Supersport Battles

• Cookstown 100 A: 1. Michael Dunlop, 2. Michael Sweeney, 3. Marcus Simpson, 4. Darryl Tweed, 5. Kevin Keyes, 6. James Chawke.
• Open A: 1. Michael Dunlop, 2. Michael Sweeney, 3. Darryl Tweed, 4. Marcus Simpson, 5. Kevin Keyes, 6. James Chawke.
• Supersport A: 1. Paul Jordan, 2. Darryl Tweed, 3. Michael Sweeney, 4. Kevin Keyes, 5. Marcus Simpson, 6. Sean Brolly.

Lightweight & Support Classes

• Supertwin A: 1. Michael Sweeney, 2. Darryl Tweed, 3. James Chawke, 4. Sean Brolly, 5. Kevin Lavery, 6. Neil Kernohan.
• Moto 3/Supersport 300: 1. Michael Dunlop, 2. Dan Sayle, 3. Chris Meyer, 4. Lee Osprey, 5. Don Gilbert, 6. William Grant.
• Senior Support A: 1. Brandon Kavanagh, 2. James Walsh, 3. Aidan Cleary, 4. Michael Clyde, 5. Graeme Smallwoods, 6. Fred McMullan.
• Junior Support A: 1. Bailey Harker, 2. Jack Meares, 3. William Grant, 4. Michael Clyde, 5. James Walsh, 6. John O’Donovan.

Classic Racing Results

• Pre-73 Classic Senior: 1. Andy Hornby, 2. Richard Ford, 3. Nigel Moore, 4. Robert McCrum, 5. Gareth Arnold, 6. Barry Davidson.
• Pre-73 Classic Lightweight: 1. Barry Davidson, 2. Richard Ford, 3. Malcolm Love, 4. Brian Mateer, 5. Gareth Arnold, 6. Edwin Gilmore.
• Pre-73 Classic Junior: 1. Nigel Moore, 2. Dan Sayle, 3. Kyle Parkes, 4. Robert McCrum, 5. Mark Johnson, 6. Gary Hutton.

Next Stop: The North West 200

The Ballymoney man and the rest of the paddock now turn their full attention to the North West 200, scheduled for May 6th–9th. With Dunlop in record-breaking form and a field of hungry challengers including Sweeney and Jordan, the International road racing season is set for an epic start.