Classic TT 2026: Michael Dunlop cruises to victory in Lightweight race

Michael Dunlop landed his second Classic TT win in a matter of hours on Sunday afternoon when he claimed a dominant win in the Lightweight race.

Only a couple of hours after winning the Formula One race, the 37-year-old won the three-lap race at a canter on the Milenco by Padgett’s Honda 250 by more than three minutes from Michael Sweeney.

Rhys Hardisty completed the top three, a further 41 seconds down on Sweeney.

Dunlop admitted he’d been targeting victory in this race all year. After the race he said: ‘It’s a bit of a personal one for me. My dad used to ride for Clive, but never managed to ride for him here.

‘I’d like to thank Clive for the opportunity - it’s a real feather in my cap.’

Team boss Clive Padgett added: ‘So thrilled we’ve managed to get this little bike on the podium and thanks to Bruce [Anstey] for letting us use it.’

Dunlop, who couldn’t quite break Anstey’s 120.475mph lap record for the class, was in a league of his own for the majority of the race, with early challenger Mike Browne retiring on the second lap.

Chris Moore was also in contention for a podium spot before he was forced to pull in on the final lap.

Sweeney, on the IMS/CSC Racing Yamaha was delighted with a runner-up finish. The Skerries man said: ‘It’s unbelievable - we’ve been through torture with this bike all last year and again this year.’

Hardisty added: ‘It’s taken just under 10 years to get back in here. This is my bike so it makes it special. It’s my blood, sweat and tears.

‘It means a lot.’

A sensational final circuit from Joe Loughlin of 113.524mph gave him the honours in the combined Ultra-Lightweight race, smashing the class’s lap record.

Kawasaki ZXR400-mounted Loughlin, who was making his return to the Mountain Course, finished nearly 20 seconds up on Owen Monaghan, who had been in the lead after a ‘splash and dash’ pit stop at the end of the first lap.

Castletown’s Paul Cassidy rounded out the 400s’ podium on the Green Racing/Island Fuels Yamaha YZF400.

Tom Snow was the leading 125cc finishing 10th overall.