TT 2017: Dunlop: 'A good start and more to come'

Michael Dunlop was impressed with the performance of his Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000 after he completed his first two laps of the mountain course with the machine on Tuesday evening.

Dunlop clocked a 125.68mph lap from a standing start before following it up with another 125mph lap to place a couple of seconds off rival Ian Hutchinson as the opening practice sessions got underway.

A brand new bike for 2017, the GSX-R was always going to be an unknown quantity on the mountain course but initial signs are positive.

After a strong result at the North West 200, the Hawk racing squad made a number of changes with Dunlop testing the bike in that spec for the first time as he completed his first 37.73-miles.

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It is of course, early days with the pace expected to increase as practice continues, but signs are positive for Dunlop and the Suzuki at this stage.

“It’s a good start,” he said. “We’re the only team here with a brand new bike and we’ve started strongly. The boys made some changes after the North West, and we’ve got some work still to do on setup, but it’s good to finally get our TT underway. It was important to see the bike do laps around here for the first time, but they were two good laps and there’s still more to come.”

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