Michael Dunlop Wins Supersport C100 at Cookstown 100 for 120th Irish Road Race Victory

Michael Dunlop Wins Supersport C100 at Cookstown 100 for 120th Irish Road Race Victory

Ardee News and Sport – Michael Dunlop Wins Supersport C100 at Cookstown 100 for 120th Irish Road Race Victory

29-time TT winner Michael Dunlop dominates at Cookstown 100 with thrilling Supersport win on MD Racing Ducati

Michael Dunlop etched another milestone into his remarkable career on Saturday afternoon, claiming victory in the Mid-Ulster District Council Supersport C100 race at the Cookstown 100 and notching up his 120th Irish road race win.

In front of a growing crowd enjoying bursts of sunshine after a gloomy start to the day, the stage was perfectly set for a thrilling contest — and the TT legend didn’t disappoint.

Late to the Grid, Quick to the Front

Despite a late arrival onto the starting grid, Michael Dunlop wasted no time asserting himself once the race got underway. Mullingar’s Derek McGee, fresh from victory in the earlier 125/Moto 3 race, started on pole alongside Michael Sweeney, who grabbed the hole shot aboard his EM Building Yamaha.

However, by the end of the first lap, Dunlop — piloting his own MD Racing jet-black V2 Panigale Ducati — surged into the lead, edging Sweeney by just 0.160 seconds, with McGee right on their heels, a mere 0.656 seconds further back.

Neck-and-Neck Battle Intensifies

As the laps ticked by, the pace only intensified. McGee, chasing hard, set the race’s fastest lap at the time on the second tour (1:27.688) and again went quicker on the third lap. The battle for supremacy between Dunlop and McGee became a fierce chess match, the gap between them shrinking to just 0.139 seconds as the race reached halfway.

Meanwhile, Sweeney, though still holding third place, began to lose ground, trailing the leading pair by over three and a half seconds.

Dunlop Pulls Clear

With slower traffic beginning to play a part from lap six, Dunlop seized the opportunity to create daylight. On lap seven, the Ballymoney rider extended his advantage to over two seconds. Demonstrating his class, he pushed even harder, setting the race’s quickest lap on the eighth circuit with a stunning 1:25.090.

From there, there was no stopping the “Maverick” of road racing. Dunlop controlled proceedings masterfully, eventually crossing the line over four seconds clear of McGee to claim a historic and emotional 120th Irish road racing victory.

Podium and Top Finishers

Behind Dunlop, Derek McGee finished a strong second, with Michael Sweeney rounding out the podium in third.

Darryl Tweed (Novo Gen by FAO Racing) secured a fine fourth-place finish, followed by Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing) in fifth and James Chawke completing the top six.

7th–10th places:

• Brian McCormack
• Richard McLoughlin
• Martin Morris
• Paul Cranston

11th–18th places:

Andrea Majola, Liam Chawke, Barry Furber, Graham McAleese, Anthony McColgan, Stephen ‘Degsy’ Degnan, Noel Carroll, Dennis Booth.

Photo credit: Tommy Vennard

A Statement Ahead of the North West 200

For Michael Dunlop, this triumph at Cookstown comes at the perfect time as he gears up for a packed 2024 road racing season. Having already shaken off bumps and bruises from a recent Le Mans crash, Dunlop’s performance proves he’s still at the very peak of his powers.

With the North West 200 looming and the Isle of Man TT just around the corner, Dunlop’s latest Cookstown conquest sends a clear message — the Ballymoney man is more determined than ever to extend his legacy.