Latest news with #ConorCummins
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Dunlop takes victory in Open race at Tandragee 100
Michael Dunlop marked his first appearance at the Tandragee 100 road races since 2013 by taking victory in the five-lap Open race on his MD Racing BMW Superstock machine, Dunlop finished 0.4 seconds ahead of Michael Sweeney at the chequered flag, with Manxman Conor Cummins edging out Mike Browne for third place on the final had the consolation of setting a new absolute lap record of 109.796mph on his penultimate circuit, with Dunlop also inside Dan Kneen's previous benchmark set in 2018 as he lapped at led on his MJ Racing BMW after lap one, ahead of Browne, Dunlop, Shaun Anderson and Cummins, those five separated by just tenths of a a record 33-time winner at the Isle of Man TT, had moved into second by the conclusion of the second lap thanks to the quickest lap of the race up to that point at the end of the following lap, the 36-year-old had hit the front, enjoying a 0.3-second advantage over Sweeney and his cushion over the Skerries rider was marginally reduced to 0.24 seconds as the riders headed out on their final Dunlop maintained his position at the head of affairs in front of the pursuing Sweeney to secure the 12th victory of his career at the Tandragee 39, managed to get his Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW ahead of Browne's BPE by Russell Racing Supersport Yamaha on the final bend to complete the podium positions, with newcomer Marcus Simpson and Shaun Anderson rounding out the top Manx rider is competing at Tandragee for the first time since his only previous appearance in will have further opportunities to add to his wins tally when he competes in the second Supersport race and the feature Tandragee 100 event later on was the victor in the opening Supersport outing held on Friday evening. Tweed takes Supertwins success Meanwhile Ballymoney's Darryl Tweed triumphed in the Supertwins race on Saturday after a thrilling four-lap battle at the front with led after both of the opening two laps but Sweeney was the leader by 0.2 seconds after the pair circulated the next 5.3 miles of the county Armagh of Ireland competitor Sweeney looked to be in control going into the final corner but ran wide at Bell's Crossroads, allowing Tweed the opportunity to nip through and take victory by 1.5 race winner set the fastest lap of the race at Furber occupied the final rostrum place, followed home by Joe Yeardsley, Simpson and Neil Tandragee races are taking place for the first time since 2022 after essential resurfacing work was carried out on the course.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Michael Dunlop to ride at Tandragee 100 road races
Isle of Man TT record-breaker Michael Dunlop is to ride at this weekend's Tandragee 100 road races, which is being held for the first time since 33-time TT winner is a late entry for the 61st edition of the event held over a 5.3-mile course in county Armagh and will compete on his MD Racing BMW Superstock and Supersport V2 Ducati will be making his first appearance at the meeting for 12 years, just weeks after completing the fifth four-timer of his TT 36-year-old was recently awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list in recognition of his claimed a Superbike and Supersport double when he last competed at Tandragee in 2013.A statement released by the club said they were "absolutely thrilled to have Michael return to the iconic Tandragee 100 course, one of the few remaining 'old school circuits'."The Tandragee races are running with with new dates of Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June, the event having previously been traditionally staged in early race was given the green light to recommence after essential resurfacing work was completed on the the other leading entrants are Skerries rider Michael Sweeney, who will campaign an MJR Racing BMW, Yamaha R6 and Aprilia Conor Cummins bridges an 18-year gap since his last appearance at the race as he rides for the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing 39-year-old had a best finish of fifth in the second Superstock race at the recent TT man Shaun Anderson is also part of the field, along with two more Manx riders in Joe Yeardsley and Marcus Simpson, Neil Kernohan and Ballymoney's Darryl rider Amalric Blanc is a notable newcomer while veteran Ian Lougher is entered in the Supertwins class. Derek McGee is an absentee through close on Friday at 11:00 BST, with practice scheduled to start at 11:30 and roads reopen not later than 21: close at 09:30 on Saturday, with the first race at 10:00 and roads opening again at 19:00.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Michael Dunlop shows his hand in final qualifying session for 2025 Isle of Man TT
Michael Dunlop finally revealed his cards on Sunday afternoon during the final qualifying session for this year's Isle of Man TT Races, following a morning of rain. The Ballymoney rider took the lead on the Superbike leaderboard, clocking his fastest lap of the week at 132.003mph on his MD Racing BMW Motorrad machine. Advertisement Conor Cummins topped the Superstock class with a speedy 129.835mph lap on his Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW. Dean Harrison of Honda Racing led the Supersport runners with a 124.736mph effort. READ MORE: Red Bull Junior Fionn McLaughlin tops British F4 standings following Snetterton victory READ MORE: Armagh book quarter-final place with a game to spare thanks to victory over Dublin Paul Jordan, riding a Jackson Racing Aprilia powered by Prosper2, claimed the top spot in the Supertwin class at 118.584mph, while Ryan and Callum Crowe (Opul/Kelproperties LCR Honda) led the Sidecar leaderboard at 119.337mph. Advertisement The schedule was altered to allow the Sidecars to take the Mountain Course first, despite damp patches lingering at locations such as Greeba Castle, Ballaspur, the 11th Milestone, Kerrowmoar, Glentramman, May Hill and Ramsey Hairpin. The session kicked off with Founds/Walmsley leading the pack, followed by Crawford/Hardie, Birchall/Rosney, the Crowes - who were testing a new chain - Blackstock/Lawrence, Ellis/Clement, and father-and-son team Gary and Daryl Gibson. Newcomer George Holden, accompanied by experienced passenger Mark Wilkes, chose to run a tuned engine for the session. However, it was the Crowes who set the pace early on, reaching Glen Helen a full 13 seconds ahead of the rest. Thanks to the fastest speed through the Sulby speed trap at 162.332mph, they posted an impressive opening lap of 119.337mph, putting them over half a minute ahead of Founds/Walmsley (115.843mph). Advertisement Birchall/Rosney (115.198mph), Crawford/Hardie (115.103mph), Blackstock/Lawrence (112.789mph) and Ellis/Clement (111.314mph) rounded off the top six, with Holden/Wilkes following closely at 109.838mph. Newcomers Clarke/Johnson (109.769mph) and Kershaw/Gibbons (108.393mph) were hot on their heels. Several teams made pit stops for adjustments or tyre changes, but Birchall/Rosney, Ellis/Clement, and Gibson/Gibson powered straight through. Birchall/Rosney clocked their fastest lap of the week at 115.664mph, while Clarke/Johnson (113.040mph), Ellis/Clement (112.522mph), Kershaw/Gibbons (110.577mph) and Holden/Wilkes (110.048mph) also put in impressive performances - both Kershaw/Gibbons and Holden/Wilkes breaking the 110mph barrier for the first time. Belgian pair Renzo and Vale van der Donckt upped their game to 107.713mph, with newcomers James Saunders and Sarah Stokoe also climbing the leaderboard at 107.691mph. The session was abruptly halted due to an incident involving Founds/Walmsley at Rhencullen. Driver Pete Founds was reported to be conscious with arm injuries, while passenger Jevan Walmsley was also reported as conscious with no reported injuries. Advertisement After a brief spell of rain, the combined Superbike/Superstock/Supersport session kicked off at 4:20pm. Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki) was first off the mark, followed by Dean Harrison, Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson (moolab/MLav Racing BMW), and Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing Honda powered by Prosper2). Dunlop was quickest through all sectors and posted the fastest open. In the thrilling lap, the lead was taken by a racer with a speed of 131.683mph, followed closely by Harrison (130.666mph), Davey Todd (129.812mph), Nathan Harrison (129.652mph), Anderson (128.965mph), and Rob Hodson (128.798mph). Brookes also set his fastest lap of the week at 128.359mph. In the Superstock category, Mike Browne led the pack at 129.697mph, ahead of Cummins (129.204mph), James Hind (128.946mph), Hutchinson (128.443mph), Jordan (127.710mph), and Michael Evans (127.600mph). James Hillier topped the Supersport times early on at 123.021mph, followed by David Johnson (121.278mph) and Michael Sweeney (120.797mph). Advertisement Several riders switched machines after their first laps-Dean Harrison, Brookes, and Hillier among those returning to the course on Supersport, Superstock, and Superbike machinery respectively. Cummins stayed out for a second lap on his Superstock bike and improved to 129.835mph. Hodson also went again on his Superbike and lapped at 129.135mph. Harrison raised the Supersport benchmark with a 124.736mph lap, edging out Browne (124.272mph) and Evans (123.280mph). However, all eyes were on Dunlop as he managed to get out for a second lap and delivered a stunning 132.003mph - his fastest of the week and the quickest of the session. The final session of the day, for the Supertwins, kicked off at 5pm. Paul Jordan led the way at 118.584mph, followed by Adam McLean (118.257mph), Barry Furber (117.913mph), Browne (117.302mph), Todd (116.522mph), and Andrea Majola (116.207mph). The first races of 2025 are set to kick off on Monday, 2nd June, with the RST x D3O Superbike TT marking the start of the race action. This will be followed by the Sidecar TT Race 1 and the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
North West 200 'a go-to event' for Isle of Man rider Cummins
Isle of Man road racer Conor Cummins says he is looking forward to his "brand new" start with the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing team at this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT. The Manxman has been competing at the North West since 2006 with best finishes of second in a Superbike race in 2010 and a Supersport event in 2014. He picked up fifth and sixth places at last year's meeting but his long-standing association with the Padgett's Racing outfit ended soon after as they parted ways during the Isle of Man TT. The 37-year-old will ride a BMW in the Superbike and Superstock classes and a Ducati Panigale V2 in the Supersport category. "I'm very optimistic, really excited about it," Cummins told BBC Sport NI. "John [Burrows] and the team have had a lot of experience on these bikes [the BMWs]. It's still new to me although I did have a run out in July [at Armoy] on another BMW. "I realised then definitely the next step on my career [was] to jump on a BMW and I'm grateful to John for giving me a shot at it." The Ducati represents a new challenge for Cummins. "The Ducati Supersport is something completely different for me. I've never ridden a Ducati before but obviously it's an iconic brand and the V2 is going to be some weapon on the track, no doubt. "The North West 200 is a go-to event for me. It was my first international road race back in 2006. I love coming back to it and coming back to Northern Ireland and racing at one of the most iconic events on the calendar." Cummins described his 2024 season as "far from ideal" but adds that he is "definitely raring to go" for the new campaign. "I go racing to win races, that's my goal, and the TT remains top of the priority list for me, that's why I do all this testing, all this racing, just to put me in a good position, I'm excited. Brand new team, new bike, new manufacturer. "I'm definitely going to come back and do Armoy. I did that last July and loved it."
