Ulster GP: Hutchinson beats Dunlop to Superstock victory

Ian Hutchinson won a close fought opening Superstock race at this week’s Ulster Grand Prix, holding off Michael Dunlop to take victory by just 0.2 seconds. 

Hutchinson took the early lead with a bad start for Dunlop seeing him as low as fourth on the opening lap. Derek Sheils led the chase behind the Tyco BMW in the initial stages, with Peter Hickman moving into third at the end of the first lap. 

A technical issue saw Hickman retire on lap two, as Dunlop made his way through the pack to take the lead from Hutchinson at Jordan’s cross. Unbeaten on the roads with the BMW stocker this year, Hutchinson wasn’t going to let Dunlop have it easy and remained on his tail with the pair separated by just 0.378 seconds at the end of the third lap.

TOP STORIES

• Gallery: Barry Sheene’s championship-winning bikes
• MCN Fleet: A hard weekend leads the ZX-10R to Ibiza
• British Grand Prix app available on Android and iOS
• Bike of the day: Aprilia Dorsoduro 750
• Ulster GP: Peter Hickman video diary – Thursday

The Bingley Bullet had reeled in his rival to be 0.1 behind on lap five, before making his move at Jordan’s cross on the final lap of the six lap, and despite Dunlop pushing in the final sector, Hutchinson took the lead by 0.261 seconds.  

Dan Kneen took an impressive third place for Mar-Train Yamaha ahead of Dean Harrison and Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson rode Lee Johnston’s ECR BMW to sixth ahead of Derek Sheils and Steve Mercer with Jamie Coward and Bruce Anstey rounding out the top ten. 

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.