Dunlop grabs win after crash worry

The Ballymoney man became the first rider to win four TTs in consecutive years when he secured his first success in the blue riband Senior event on Friday.

But he admitted his heart was in his mouth after coming across a crash involving his brother William on his way to victory.

“William is, after all, my brother. He means more to me than the race,” said Michael.

“The press are trying to slag us off and push us against each other, but that man means more to me than this race.

“My heart was in my mouth until I got back to the pits and asked the lads if he was alright.”

The Tyco Suzuki rider had been in contention for a rostrum place when he came off on the third lap at Graham Memorial and was airlifted to Nobles Hospital in Douglas with two breaks in his left leg.

Dunlop, though, was later released from hospital and was fortunate to escape without more serious injuries, with his team-mate Guy Martin describing the aftermath as resembling a ‘bomb scene’.

Race winner Michael was aware that his older sibling was the rider involved after coming across the accident, but despite his obvious concern the 25-year-old managed to hold his advantage. The BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing recruit went on to score a mature win by 14 seconds from Manx hero Conor Cummins on the Honda Racing Fireblade and Lincolnshire livewire Martin.