Isle of Man TT: Dunlop targets 130mph Supersport lap

Northern Ireland's Michael Dunlop has said he wants to become the first man to lap the Mountain Course at more than 130mph on a 600cc Supersport machine.

Last year Dunlop won both Supersport races, setting both lap (128.666mph) and race records. He went on to win four of five solo races.

He said: "I know it is possible, it's just about putting that perfect lap together for 37.75 miles."

Last year saw Dunlop take his tally to seven TT wins.

He said: "I've proved I can win TTs on a Supersport bike and I've also got the lap and race records.

"But what I really want is to be the first person to lap at over 130mph on a 600cc bike and I think it is within my reach."

To do so, the Ballymoney rider will need to slash 11 seconds from his current best lap, which he admits is a "big ask".

But he added: "My bike is going to be stronger this year and when I set the lap record I made a few little mistakes and lost quite a lot of time."

Dunlop will again be racing his own MD Racing Honda Supersport machines.

This year a record 99 riders have been approved for the highly competitive class.

Dunlop's main rivals will be Honda pairing John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey, the returning Ian Hutchinson, and Tyco Suzuki team-mates Guy Martin and William Dunlop.

Josh Brookes, Gary Johnson, James Hillier and Manx man Conor Cummins will all be eyeing the top step of the podium come June.