Michael Dunlop has equalled his late uncle Joey’s all-time record 26 wins at the Isle of Man TT.
Dunlop won the Supersport Race 1 on Saturday, the first race of 2024, to match the incredible feat.
Davey Todd was second, Dean Harrison third, James Hillier fourth, James Hind fifth.
But the true significance of the race was the emotional history-making by its winner.
Dunlop has famously lost his father and uncle to motorcycle racing.
Now 35, and after winning his 25th TT race last year, he has returned to immediately draw level with the record set by his uncle, before his death.
“It’s fantastic,” he told the BBC.Â
“To equal Joey’s record is something that has been playing on my mind all week, and everyone else’s.
“Everyone wanted to get to that record and now I’ve done it, so it is something special.”
Dunlop will have seven chances to win a 27th TT race this year, as he competes in all of the remaining solo races.
Dunlop was made to fight for his record-equalling 26th win, though.
He only took the lead at Ballaugh Bridge on Lap 2 of 4.
“I knew it was going to be tight and it took me a couple of laps to bed in,” said Dunlop.
“We made a few changes and it was tough going. To beat Davey [Todd] in the form he is in at present is special.”