Ulster Grand Prix, Part 1 Bikes!


Ulster Grand Prix, Part 1

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Ulster Grand Prix, Part 1. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

The Ulster Grand Prix is one of Northern Ireland's

0:00:330:00:36

oldest and most prestigious sporting events,

0:00:360:00:39

and over the years it's always attracted

0:00:390:00:41

the world's best motorcycle road racers.

0:00:410:00:44

-COMMENTATOR:

-It's number six, Agostini, in the lead.

0:00:480:00:51

Joey Dunlop coming into view...!

0:00:550:00:57

Almost 190 through here!

0:00:590:01:01

They're so close together!

0:01:100:01:12

Welcome to Dundrod for the first of two highlights programmes

0:01:190:01:23

from the 2016 MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix.

0:01:230:01:27

Here's what's coming up on tonight's show...

0:01:270:01:30

We've action from the first four of the seven scheduled races -

0:01:310:01:35

Supersport, Superstock, Lightweight...

0:01:350:01:38

..and the big one, the Ulster Grand Prix Superbike showdown.

0:01:390:01:43

One of the riders to watch every year is Englishman Ian Hutchinson.

0:01:450:01:49

This is his guide to the fastest road racing circuit in the world.

0:01:490:01:54

# Take me out of here

0:01:540:01:55

# Take me out of here

0:01:560:01:58

# Take me out of here

0:01:590:02:01

# Take me out of here... #

0:02:020:02:10

Well, Ian, this is your first key point in the circuit,

0:02:100:02:12

the famous Deer's Leap.

0:02:120:02:13

Yeah, I think it's the first most important part of the track,

0:02:130:02:16

where you need to be committed for sure,

0:02:160:02:19

coming over a crest in fourth gear -

0:02:190:02:20

back from sixth gear back to fourth -

0:02:200:02:22

and you have to carry a lot of speed through it, so...

0:02:220:02:24

pretty much all the front-runners get through the same,

0:02:240:02:26

you're not going to gain anything on anyone,

0:02:260:02:28

but it's an important corner for the whole lap to get good.

0:02:280:02:31

The first of a few scary sections?

0:02:310:02:32

Yeah, probably one of the more scary sections, yeah!

0:02:320:02:36

-COMMENTATOR:

-Ooh! And that looks like Ian Hutchinson

0:02:360:02:39

on the Traction Control Yamaha.

0:02:390:02:41

This is Quarterlands...

0:02:420:02:43

It's almost like a 50-pence piece shape coming in,

0:02:430:02:46

and you're on the side of the tyre braking...

0:02:460:02:48

The road's always really dirty...

0:02:480:02:50

-You get plenty of fans here!

-HE CHUCKLES

0:02:500:02:52

And then you carry the speed through quite a strange change of tarmac

0:02:520:02:56

and into Isle of Men.

0:02:560:02:58

So now we're onto the famous Budore Corner,

0:03:070:03:10

which is now named after Ian Lougher.

0:03:100:03:12

Fifth gear approach - probably the most important corner on the circuit

0:03:120:03:15

for a fast lap time.

0:03:150:03:17

About 160 miles an hour through the apex of the corner here

0:03:170:03:20

and the road falls away as soon as you go through back on the throttle,

0:03:200:03:23

it's a very exciting part of the track.

0:03:230:03:25

-COMMENTATOR:

-Up the inside of the crest into Lougher's...

0:03:250:03:28

and he's made it stick.

0:03:280:03:30

So, Tornagrough - we're getting towards the end of the lap here

0:03:340:03:36

and this is a perfect place to try and snatch the lead.

0:03:360:03:39

Hard on the brakes into here from fourth gear to second -

0:03:390:03:41

you can make a great pass.

0:03:410:03:43

-COMMENTATOR:

-Oh, Irwin!

0:03:440:03:45

Glenn Irwin, so sharp on the brakes into Tornagrough.

0:03:450:03:48

Then you have to hold it off at the hairpin, just round the corner.

0:03:490:03:53

-COMMENTATOR:

-Oh! Up the inside, Dean Harrison, perhaps,

0:03:570:03:59

on Ian Hutchinson.

0:03:590:04:00

Well, Ian, last corner, last chance saloon?

0:04:040:04:07

Yeah, it can be done around the last corner,

0:04:070:04:09

it can't really be planned,

0:04:090:04:11

it's just, er, a matter of if you're lucky and the gap opens up,

0:04:110:04:15

you can just about get up the inside

0:04:150:04:17

and get the run to the line and beat somebody.

0:04:170:04:19

But it's definitely a wing and a prayer to do it.

0:04:190:04:22

And you're going to take some fans out later on?

0:04:220:04:24

Yeah, we're going round in a bus for Lee Johnston's cancer charity,

0:04:240:04:28

so I get to show a few people some of the things that we experience

0:04:280:04:31

when we're riding around at a slightly slower speed in the bus,

0:04:310:04:34

but great to give them the opportunity to see it.

0:04:340:04:38

Er , up to fourth gear, fifth gear maybe...

0:04:380:04:40

Then, again, you're braking really hard whilst leant over, so it's...

0:04:400:04:44

There's a lot of places you rely on a front-end grip here.

0:04:440:04:47

It's all about the fans here, isn't it?

0:04:480:04:50

Yeah, I get great support coming from England,

0:04:500:04:52

which feels special cos obviously I'm not from here,

0:04:520:04:54

and I'm sure they want a hometown winner,

0:04:540:04:56

but I get a lot of support and it's great to get that.

0:04:560:04:59

He'll be just a little bit quicker around here today.

0:05:050:05:08

Joining me on the grid is a 14-time race winner,

0:05:080:05:11

here at the Ulster Grand Prix, Phillip McCallen.

0:05:110:05:13

Phillip, what does it take to do the business around here?

0:05:130:05:16

It takes a lot of guts.

0:05:160:05:17

You know, this is the fastest road race in the world

0:05:170:05:20

at over 133-mile an hour lap.

0:05:200:05:22

You know, it takes a lot of accuracy,

0:05:220:05:25

you must get every corner spot-on,

0:05:250:05:27

you must get every braking spot-on...

0:05:270:05:29

You've just got to get it right if you want to go fast

0:05:290:05:31

at the Ulster Grand Prix.

0:05:310:05:33

Why do the riders love it here so much?

0:05:330:05:35

Everyone loves this place, this is a proper...

0:05:350:05:38

I have to be so careful what I say, but this is a Grand Prix road race.

0:05:380:05:42

This is like a Grand Prix circuit with hedges.

0:05:420:05:45

OK, let's get to the action in the Superstock class

0:05:450:05:48

and join our commentary team, Dave Moore and Richard Nichols.

0:05:480:05:51

-RICHARD NICHOLS:

-And as you heard,

0:05:550:05:57

this qualifying grid was affected by weather,

0:05:570:06:00

and I think the interesting thing, Dave,

0:06:000:06:02

is that you have to go down two rows

0:06:020:06:03

before you see names like Bruce Anstey...

0:06:030:06:05

Three rows for Peter Hickman.

0:06:050:06:07

Yes, it's a real mixed bag,

0:06:070:06:08

you wouldn't expect to see the likes of

0:06:080:06:10

Stevie Mercer or Jamie Coward on the front row,

0:06:100:06:12

but, having said that, the Ulster Grand Prix,

0:06:120:06:14

as long as you're in the lead pack by Leathemstown,

0:06:140:06:16

you're in with a chance of the race.

0:06:160:06:17

That's what all the people on the grid

0:06:170:06:20

will be attempting to achieve

0:06:200:06:22

as the first race of this weekend gets under way.

0:06:220:06:26

Watch the lights, heads down,

0:06:260:06:28

and it's go for Ulster Grand Prix 2016,

0:06:280:06:32

and look at Peter Hickman!

0:06:320:06:34

Oh! Peter Hickman!

0:06:340:06:35

I think that was Michael Dunlop he flew past there.

0:06:350:06:37

Looked as if he was always going to make connection,

0:06:370:06:40

but Peter Hickman... Whoa! And he's flying, absolutely flying

0:06:400:06:43

and he is now on The Flying Kilo... And Hickman leads!

0:06:430:06:46

Dean Harrison into second, Dan Kneen's also up there in fourth...

0:06:460:06:49

Here they go, Ulster Grand Prix is under way.

0:06:490:06:51

Second wave on the road.

0:06:510:06:52

Yes, again, a mixture down here

0:06:520:06:54

with Mark Goodings and Dom Herbertson,

0:06:540:06:56

who did really well in the Dundrod 150.

0:06:560:06:58

There, Dan Hegarty...

0:06:580:07:00

Peter Hickman, Peter Hickman... He's leaving them behind.

0:07:000:07:02

Well, we thought that Peter Hickman

0:07:020:07:04

might be the man to watch here this weekend...

0:07:040:07:06

Dean Harrison into second, but Peter Hickman, wow!

0:07:060:07:09

That was a start and a half, wasn't it?

0:07:090:07:11

We're on board with Derek Sheils, one of the John Burrows machines,

0:07:110:07:15

in the pack, in third place.

0:07:150:07:17

Yeah, just behind Dean Harrison and maybe going past Dean Harrison!

0:07:170:07:20

-Hickman's gone, though, hasn't he?

-He has.

-Hickman's just vanished.

0:07:210:07:24

And look at Dan Kneen as well, Dan Kneen, ahead of Ian Hutchinson.

0:07:240:07:26

Michael Dunlop back behind Hutchinson as well.

0:07:260:07:28

Let's watch out for Hutchinson and Dunlop today...

0:07:280:07:31

Yes, that little bit of rivalry,

0:07:310:07:33

bound to be renewed.

0:07:330:07:35

Steve Mercer, one of two riders

0:07:350:07:37

standing in on the RC Express Kawasaki.

0:07:370:07:39

Ivan Lintin's hurt and so they've called on the reserves

0:07:390:07:43

and they've been doing a pretty good job, actually.

0:07:430:07:45

And doing a very good job out front

0:07:450:07:47

as this little battle for second place continues to get tasty...

0:07:470:07:50

Hutchinson, where's he come from?!

0:07:500:07:52

He's now up into third!

0:07:520:07:53

Derek Sheils, looking at a clear road ahead.

0:07:540:07:57

-Yes... Oh!

-Not for long, though!

0:07:570:07:59

-No.

-I recognised that behind!

0:07:590:08:01

Right, let's watch this again from Peter Hickman, row three...

0:08:010:08:05

And he just slices through them.

0:08:050:08:07

Avoids Michael Dunlop, that was a heart-in-mouth moment, wasn't it?

0:08:070:08:10

And then just passes everybody, down along The Flying Kilo,

0:08:100:08:13

past Sheils, past Harrison and into first place.

0:08:130:08:17

Well, he nearly parked that Kawasaki

0:08:170:08:19

right up the back of Michael Dunlop, didn't he?

0:08:190:08:21

But he managed to get past

0:08:210:08:23

and he's hanging on to the lead.

0:08:230:08:26

This is good work for him.

0:08:260:08:28

He knows that it hasn't quite got all the punch of the others.

0:08:280:08:31

He knows he's got to do all his work on the brakes and in the corners,

0:08:310:08:35

so he's trying to make the brake early, and at the Lindsay Hairpin,

0:08:350:08:39

he's got a little bit of pursuit coming on now, hasn't he?

0:08:390:08:42

He has. Peter Hickman will be enjoying this.

0:08:420:08:44

Peter Hickman, one of the British Superbike stars, of course.

0:08:440:08:46

Ian Hutchinson,

0:08:460:08:47

currently second in the British Superstock Championship...

0:08:470:08:50

And Hutchinson is on a mission as well,

0:08:500:08:52

he's trying to reel in Hickman as soon as he can,

0:08:520:08:54

he doesn't want to let Hickman go.

0:08:540:08:56

He knows that Hickman... Oh, and he's through!

0:08:560:08:58

Where did Hutchinson come from?!

0:08:580:09:00

That was breathtaking work from Ian Hutchinson, wasn't it?

0:09:000:09:03

He's in a "no prisoners" mode arriving here this week,

0:09:030:09:07

as you so rightly say, and Hickman is about to get mugged

0:09:070:09:11

by the rest of the pack - look, here we go.

0:09:110:09:13

-And there is Michael...

-Sheils goes through.

0:09:130:09:15

Yeah, Michael Dunlop, just behind Dean Harrison,

0:09:150:09:18

trying to get the tow on the slipstream.

0:09:180:09:20

Derek Sheils, a great start, but he's losing positions.

0:09:200:09:22

Now that's Dan Kneen going through on the Mar-Train Yamaha...

0:09:220:09:25

And it was going like a train, wasn't it?

0:09:250:09:27

As they unwind the opening lap,

0:09:270:09:30

everything just going up to temperature...

0:09:300:09:31

They're right on it, right from the word go.

0:09:310:09:34

So, Peter Hickman... DAVE CHUCKLES

0:09:350:09:37

That was astounding from him.

0:09:370:09:39

Oh, someone's just gone straight on!

0:09:390:09:41

-Was that Hickman?

-No...

-No, it's Gary...

0:09:410:09:43

No, Gary Johnson's looking fine, that was a...

0:09:430:09:46

-Kawasaki for sure, wasn't it?

-It could have been, it could have been.

0:09:460:09:48

He certainly was leading. There is Hutchinson.

0:09:480:09:51

Yes, it was! It was Peter Hickman at Leathemstown.

0:09:510:09:54

-Well!

-Well, that's a shame, isn't it?

0:09:540:09:56

All that punch at the opening lap

0:09:560:09:59

and it's all come to nothing at Leathemstown on lap two.

0:09:590:10:01

And Hutchinson, in the clear.

0:10:010:10:04

Dan Kneen, though...

0:10:040:10:05

Dan Kneen... And Michael Dunlop now has passed Dean Harrison,

0:10:050:10:08

he's up to fourth, Harrison back to fifth,

0:10:080:10:10

but this is a superb ride from Dan Kneen.

0:10:100:10:13

Hickman has carried on, but he is way down the order

0:10:140:10:16

and he'll be pulling in at the end of this lap.

0:10:160:10:18

Do you think he had a moment there,

0:10:180:10:20

or do you think he had just a technical issue?

0:10:200:10:23

It's very strange. However... Back to the front...

0:10:230:10:26

And Dan Kneen, superb! Dan Kneen has always been on the...

0:10:260:10:30

-Ooh! Dunlop on Sheils!

-Yes! BOTH LAUGH

0:10:300:10:34

Dunlop versus Hutchinson

0:10:340:10:35

is coming to a living room to you very, very soon, isn't it?

0:10:350:10:38

It's heading your way at about 180 mph!

0:10:380:10:41

Dan Kneen, the little sandwich in the Dunlop-Hutchinson dispute.

0:10:410:10:46

Dan Kneen, this is fantastic from him, I'm so excited for him,

0:10:470:10:50

cos he's caught up now with Ian Hutchinson.

0:10:500:10:52

-He started the year with that broken arm, didn't he?

-Yes.

0:10:520:10:54

Well, he didn't start the year,

0:10:540:10:55

but he had that broken arm just before the Isle of Man TT...

0:10:550:10:58

But now he's looks to be back

0:10:580:10:59

and he's challenging Ian Hutchinson at the Lindsay Hairpin!

0:10:590:11:02

Well, he's definitely back

0:11:020:11:04

to full strength, isn't he?

0:11:040:11:06

He was right at the top of his form when he fell off his mountain bike,

0:11:060:11:09

and he says he's still a little bit sore sometimes, but...

0:11:090:11:12

And you're right, Hickman's cruising, isn't he?

0:11:120:11:14

Yes, some kind of issue.

0:11:140:11:16

What a shame for Peter Hickman, and he'd have been so excited

0:11:160:11:19

about the way he started leading this race

0:11:190:11:21

and then got in the battle with Hutchinson.

0:11:210:11:23

-But they go over the line...

-Here comes Dunlop...

0:11:230:11:25

-Half a second between...

-Oh! Oh! Whoo! That was so close!

0:11:250:11:29

So, so close. Dan Kneen and Michael Dunlop.

0:11:290:11:32

And now Dunlop into second with Hutchy in his sights -

0:11:320:11:36

don't turn round, Ian.

0:11:360:11:38

There was only half a second between them as Hickman comes into the pits.

0:11:380:11:42

Ian Hutchinson versus Michael Dunlop then...

0:11:420:11:44

Michael Dunlop, we've seen him in the past

0:11:440:11:46

not get off to the greatest of starts in races,

0:11:460:11:48

but he manages to fight his way back as they go...

0:11:480:11:51

-He's warmed up a bit now, hasn't he?

-And they're side by side.

0:11:510:11:53

And Ian Hutchinson...

0:11:530:11:54

Well, if anything was going to spur Ian Hutchinson on,

0:11:540:11:57

it's now the sight of Michael Dunlop's backside!

0:11:570:11:59

Disappearing up the road,

0:11:590:12:00

or hopefully not disappearing up the road,

0:12:000:12:02

cos what we want to see now is these two absolute maestros...

0:12:020:12:06

Oh, and Dan Kneen joining in - still he's right there.

0:12:070:12:10

So that's not over for him.

0:12:100:12:12

But we have got this long-standing rivalry going on

0:12:120:12:16

between Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop,

0:12:160:12:18

they're both at peak power.

0:12:180:12:20

Gary Johnson, doing a brilliant job...

0:12:200:12:22

Parachuted quite literally in to replace Lee Johnston

0:12:220:12:25

after he fell over and broke his collarbone earlier in the week.

0:12:250:12:28

But this is the battle for the lead -

0:12:280:12:30

first, second and third -

0:12:300:12:32

and here comes fourth, fifth and sixth,

0:12:320:12:34

and they're just as close, aren't they?

0:12:340:12:36

We're back with the front two at Lindsay Hairpin,

0:12:360:12:39

Michael Dunlop cannot shake off Ian Hutchinson,

0:12:390:12:41

Ian Hutchinson will carry as much spin as he can into the turn

0:12:410:12:44

and try and get on the power as quickly as he can,

0:12:440:12:46

but Michael Dunlop maintains that gap.

0:12:460:12:48

-Backmarkers in the way.

-This could be an issue for all of the top six,

0:12:480:12:53

cos we've got two battles going on at the moment.

0:12:530:12:56

This is the other one...

0:12:560:12:57

And so we've got two bunches of three closing on the tail-enders

0:12:570:13:01

and they'll find out the hard way when Michael Dunlop arrives.

0:13:010:13:05

And that has just happened, hasn't it?

0:13:050:13:08

So, then, Dunlop will get the last lap flag,

0:13:090:13:12

7.4 miles of this race still to go.

0:13:120:13:15

Ian Hutchinson is second, it is far from over!

0:13:150:13:18

Dan Kneen looks to be settling for third position.

0:13:180:13:20

There's a cracking battle involving Derek Sheils, Conor Cummins

0:13:200:13:23

and Dean Harrison for fourth.

0:13:230:13:25

But it's all eyes on these two right now.

0:13:250:13:27

And... This is that cracking battle, as you were saying,

0:13:270:13:30

and they are swapping places

0:13:300:13:32

in the slipstream as well.

0:13:320:13:35

And it's not often you see that happening

0:13:350:13:37

on this run down towards the corners,

0:13:370:13:40

But it's this battle - Michael Dunlop, a bike's length,

0:13:400:13:44

two lengths in front of Ian Hutchinson,

0:13:440:13:47

who is now riding out of his skin!

0:13:470:13:50

Yep, and this is that battle, we are back with Derek Sheils.

0:13:500:13:53

Conor Cummins, about to be passed... by Sheils.

0:13:530:13:55

Sheils in front of him.

0:13:550:13:57

Derek Sheils, the Irish Superbike champion...

0:13:570:14:00

Gary Johnson trying to get in on the end of this battle as well.

0:14:000:14:04

Trying to gap them.

0:14:040:14:05

Oh, Hutchinson is up behind Dunlop.

0:14:070:14:09

There's a backmarker in the way, and I think

0:14:090:14:12

Dunlop has reacted to it and Hutchinson has taken his chance.

0:14:120:14:15

Certainly, Michael Dunlop reacted to the backmarker then.

0:14:150:14:18

And Hutchinson goes through Jordan's.

0:14:180:14:21

Michael Dunlop is looking for a way past,

0:14:210:14:23

they're side-by-side as they go up the hill, Hutchy is in front!

0:14:230:14:26

That was all that was needed to change the order at the front.

0:14:260:14:32

And there's not a lot of time left now.

0:14:320:14:35

-That definitely played into...

-Hutchy's hands.

-It did.

0:14:350:14:38

I think that because Hutchinson gambled...

0:14:380:14:40

Dunlop reacted and Hutchinson gambled

0:14:400:14:42

and it paid off for Ian Hutchinson.

0:14:420:14:44

Into the Lindsay Hairpin. Dunlop is far from finished, though.

0:14:440:14:47

He's round the outside, but he's not going to do it unless

0:14:470:14:49

he can get the real powerful drive out of the corner on the BMW.

0:14:490:14:52

It does pick up well.

0:14:520:14:54

It's all about the rider, that moment coming out of the hairpin.

0:14:540:14:57

He got that absolutely right. He still could not catch them.

0:14:570:14:59

Just look at this!

0:14:590:15:01

Gary Johnson passed Derek Sheils, amazing.

0:15:010:15:04

Gary Johnson up to speed.

0:15:040:15:05

Unfortunately, he's on the last lap now.

0:15:050:15:07

But he's going to pick a good position.

0:15:070:15:09

Top six is what he's after.

0:15:090:15:11

Dean Harrison, from Conor Cummins.

0:15:110:15:13

It's excitement all the way, but let's go back to the front.

0:15:140:15:17

It's all over the place, but he's hung on to it

0:15:170:15:21

and he won't be passed now,

0:15:210:15:22

after that backmarker hiding in the hedge there.

0:15:220:15:25

Oh, a big wobble from Hutchinson as he takes the chequered flag!

0:15:250:15:28

Dunlop will have to be second and a great third place for Dan Kneen.

0:15:280:15:32

What a great start to the Ulster Grand Prix.

0:15:320:15:34

What a fantastic finish to the opening race for Hutchy.

0:15:340:15:38

Grabbed it in among the traffic.

0:15:380:15:39

Managed to just stay ahead of Michael Dunlop.

0:15:390:15:43

Ian, congratulations. One race, one win - what a start.

0:15:450:15:48

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I love this bike.

0:15:480:15:51

I've won the North West on it, I've won the TT on it,

0:15:510:15:53

I've won a British Superstock race on it.

0:15:530:15:55

So when we had the wet session, I qualified 15th,

0:15:550:15:58

I was feeling down about it, but knew we could come through.

0:15:580:16:01

I had to be patient and make a plan.

0:16:010:16:04

The only thing that could go wrong is if it was

0:16:040:16:06

red flagged, because I wanted to do it on the last lap.

0:16:060:16:09

It was tight, but came across a backmarker and it was going to be

0:16:090:16:11

whoever got past it first probably won,

0:16:110:16:13

so I had to make sure I was past first.

0:16:130:16:15

Michael, congratulations. Great race to start the day?

0:16:150:16:18

Yeah, good race. The weather is good.

0:16:180:16:20

A wee bit blowy, but at least we've got a dry day for once,

0:16:200:16:25

so, yeah, good race. Just caught the wrong place.

0:16:250:16:28

Just the backmarker, hard to get. But that's how she goes.

0:16:280:16:32

Ian Hutchinson takes the top step of the podium,

0:16:320:16:35

and is that Ian Hutchinson 1, Michael Dunlop 0?

0:16:350:16:37

We will have to wait and see.

0:16:370:16:39

One of the big twists in the build-up to this year's race

0:16:420:16:46

came on the opening morning of practice.

0:16:460:16:49

Lee Johnston, last year's man of the meeting, fell off his 250

0:16:490:16:52

and fractured his collarbone.

0:16:520:16:54

Devastating for Lee and his team,

0:16:540:16:57

but thankfully, they had a super sub on speed dial.

0:16:570:17:00

Always nice to get called up - not in these circumstances, obviously,

0:17:030:17:07

being Lee's friend and one of

0:17:070:17:08

his biggest supporters when we're not rivals.

0:17:080:17:11

So, gutted to get that news,

0:17:110:17:13

but then, when I got the call, "Do you want to replace him?"

0:17:130:17:15

they've got commitments that they've got to fulfil, you know,

0:17:150:17:18

jumped straight to it.

0:17:180:17:19

He's a top road racer, you know what I mean?

0:17:200:17:22

It was just on the off chance maybe that he wasn't racing

0:17:220:17:25

this weekend anyway, so it's great for the team and everything,

0:17:250:17:28

for him to get a run out.

0:17:280:17:30

So, yeah, all credit to him. Hopefully, he goes well.

0:17:300:17:32

Are you getting back on the podium here?

0:17:320:17:35

It would be nice to.

0:17:350:17:36

The last time I was here, I was on the podium,

0:17:360:17:39

but it is a strong field.

0:17:390:17:41

I'm a bit low on laps, but I was up to sixth straightaway,

0:17:410:17:44

so, see where we can pull.

0:17:440:17:45

It could be written in the stars.

0:17:450:17:47

-HE CHUCKLES

-Yeah. Hopefully!

0:17:470:17:50

Great to see Gary here, Philip,

0:17:550:17:57

but massively disappointing for Lee Johnston.

0:17:570:17:59

It's sad Lee's not here.

0:17:590:18:01

Last year he was man of the meeting

0:18:010:18:03

and I was talking to him earlier, he wanted to come here and win races.

0:18:030:18:07

This Supersport class - wide open, isn't it?

0:18:070:18:10

Yes, it is, but let's not forget Gary Johnson is here to replace Lee

0:18:100:18:15

and he has been on the podium here before

0:18:150:18:17

and is looking for another podium.

0:18:170:18:19

Any number, from six to ten, could win this.

0:18:190:18:21

This is a very competitive class,

0:18:210:18:24

probably really between this and Superstock

0:18:240:18:27

the most equal class out there, so realistically,

0:18:270:18:30

there's one or two men we think will win

0:18:300:18:32

but realistically, probably at least eight people have a chance.

0:18:320:18:36

Keeping his cards close to his chest!

0:18:360:18:38

Let's find out. We'll rejoin Dave and Richard.

0:18:380:18:40

-COMMENTATOR:

-Another interesting weather-affected grid,

0:18:420:18:45

with both the Dunlop brothers

0:18:450:18:47

on the second row for the Supersport.

0:18:470:18:49

But plenty of quality on the grid.

0:18:490:18:51

Bruce Anstey in pole position, ahead of Ian Hutchinson.

0:18:510:18:54

Yes indeed. Conor Cummins,

0:18:540:18:55

wouldn't really have had him down as a 600 specialist,

0:18:550:18:58

but he is there on the front row.

0:18:580:18:59

I think we are seeing a new-look Conor Cummins

0:18:590:19:01

this week at the Ulster Grand Prix.

0:19:010:19:04

A slight delay for a shower, but it has been declared a dry race.

0:19:040:19:08

It could be interesting, should conditions worsen.

0:19:080:19:10

They shouldn't do.

0:19:100:19:12

We're looking for the lights to go out, and away they go.

0:19:120:19:14

Looks like Bruce Anstey has it pinned.

0:19:140:19:17

But Ian Hutchinson is looking very interesting on his right side

0:19:170:19:19

and Hutchinson gets the holeshot.

0:19:190:19:21

Hutchinson will lead them onto the Flying Kilo for the first time.

0:19:210:19:24

Bruce Anstey will tuck in behind.

0:19:240:19:25

But we can expect to see three or four other bikes, perhaps,

0:19:250:19:28

come shooting past.

0:19:280:19:29

Great start for Dan Kneen, and William Dunlop as well,

0:19:290:19:32

-and Dean Harrison back in fifth.

-Anstey round the outside.

0:19:320:19:34

Oh, sorry, but that was Bruce on the move,

0:19:340:19:37

and now it's Dan Kneen having a go as well.

0:19:370:19:40

Hutchy is having none of that.

0:19:400:19:41

Did he have his foot down as the second row gets away?

0:19:410:19:44

Brian McCormack, Dan Haggerty on number 50

0:19:440:19:46

getting a good start, Davy Morgan. We are on board with Conor Cummins.

0:19:460:19:50

Am I wrong about how vital he seems this week at the UGP?

0:19:500:19:54

Yeah, amazing. Absolutely amazing.

0:19:540:19:56

It's good to see William Dunlop - he could be strong in this one.

0:19:560:19:59

Supposedly, this is his race, we are on board with Dan Kneen,

0:19:590:20:04

tucked behind Hutchinson in second place at the moment.

0:20:040:20:08

Looking at Anstey up ahead.

0:20:080:20:10

Another great start from Kneen, he did well in the Superstock,

0:20:110:20:15

and is going well in the Supersport as well.

0:20:150:20:18

That was no flash in the pan. But Dean Harrison back in fourth

0:20:180:20:21

and Dan Kneen is going for Ian Hutchinson.

0:20:210:20:24

Showing the young pup...

0:20:240:20:25

That is Dan Kneen showing Ian Hutchinson the way through.

0:20:250:20:28

He's gone for him. We are on board with Dean Harrison,

0:20:280:20:31

had a good season, gone back to his old team, gone back to his old bike

0:20:310:20:35

and he is really enjoying it.

0:20:350:20:37

Jamie Coward, one of the stand-ins at RC Express,

0:20:370:20:41

for Alan Bonner, I think.

0:20:410:20:42

Also looking good.

0:20:420:20:44

Here's Dean Harrison's start.

0:20:440:20:46

Hutchinson gets the holeshot,

0:20:470:20:49

but Anstey and Conor Cummins both tucking in.

0:20:490:20:54

Anstey, though, with this move,

0:20:540:20:57

and as we will see now from the on-board of Kneen...

0:20:570:21:01

Great start for the front row and the second row.

0:21:020:21:05

A little group there, but whoosh - straight through.

0:21:050:21:08

Look at William Dunlop, going past them

0:21:080:21:11

like the proverbial hot knife through butter.

0:21:110:21:14

About time we saw William or Michael Dunlop put in a showing.

0:21:160:21:20

They are all behaving themselves on this opening lap.

0:21:210:21:24

Bruce Anstey, more so than anyone at the moment,

0:21:240:21:27

is dictating terms out in front, and if he can brake...

0:21:270:21:31

because we have seen with the 600 so many times...

0:21:310:21:33

A little bit of rain at the top of the circuit.

0:21:330:21:37

It was raining before this race,

0:21:370:21:39

that might just be the leftovers.

0:21:390:21:41

The forecast is essentially very, very good.

0:21:410:21:44

We're not expecting anything but the lightest of light showers.

0:21:440:21:50

Kneen gets shuffled back two places, look.

0:21:500:21:52

There are the blue skies just ahead of them.

0:21:520:21:55

And Bruce Anstey ahead of them, he was 1.4 seconds ahead of Hutchinson.

0:21:550:21:58

Kneen back in third,

0:21:580:22:00

Harrison, Cummins, William Dunlop, Paul Jordan going well.

0:22:000:22:02

Michael Dunlop, though, has retired.

0:22:020:22:05

Conor Cummins, far too tall to be a successful 600 racer,

0:22:080:22:12

but he keeps proving me wrong.

0:22:120:22:15

He did well on the 600 last year on the roads and is doing so again.

0:22:150:22:19

Streaking through the countryside.

0:22:200:22:22

You get some idea of what this circuit is like when you get

0:22:220:22:25

that long shot like that and you see this high-speed train

0:22:250:22:28

going between the hedges, under the trees.

0:22:280:22:32

The man with the train driver's cap on at the moment is Bruce Anstey.

0:22:320:22:36

Swinging right over Deer's Leap.

0:22:360:22:38

It's a massive turn.

0:22:380:22:40

You're approaching a blind crest and you just have to commit.

0:22:400:22:44

Dan Kneen, oh, he's full of confidence, isn't he?

0:22:470:22:50

Up behind Dean Harrison.

0:22:500:22:53

He is well into mixing it with these boys.

0:22:530:22:55

A bit of injury at the beginning of the year

0:22:550:22:57

and he is maybe a bit race-starved,

0:22:570:22:59

a bit hungrier than some of the others.

0:22:590:23:01

That is Cummins, I think, challenging Dan Kneen.

0:23:010:23:04

Harrison into third, of course.

0:23:040:23:06

Kneen wanted to get third place back.

0:23:060:23:08

-Anstey, though...

-He did make his escape.

0:23:080:23:10

While they've been squabbling, he's gone up the road.

0:23:100:23:13

This'll be a very difficult gap to make up.

0:23:130:23:16

Bruce Anstey will be a very hard man to catch.

0:23:160:23:19

You are right, he will be a very hard man,

0:23:190:23:21

especially as they keep squabbling over second place.

0:23:210:23:23

Dean Harrison trying to take second from Ian Hutchinson.

0:23:230:23:26

Ian Hutchinson, of course, on the bike supplied by

0:23:260:23:31

the Prodigy frontman, Keith Prodigy...

0:23:310:23:34

Keith Flint, sorry, of the Prodigy.

0:23:340:23:36

I think we all knew who Keith Prodigy was!

0:23:360:23:39

LAUGHING

0:23:390:23:41

This is the train.

0:23:410:23:43

This is what they should be doing.

0:23:430:23:45

Tuck in nose to tail.

0:23:450:23:47

Get down behind the bubble.

0:23:470:23:48

Bum up and chase after Anstey

0:23:480:23:50

and the top step of the podium.

0:23:500:23:52

Hutchy is having a go by himself.

0:23:520:23:54

Cummins, having passed Kneen, is now trying to pass Harrison.

0:23:540:23:57

But Kneen wants that position back as well.

0:23:570:23:59

When you ride as hard as this,

0:23:590:24:02

fifth place isn't the reward you are after.

0:24:020:24:05

But they're all racing as hard as one another.

0:24:050:24:08

Absolutely, you do expect to be battling for the lead at this pace,

0:24:080:24:13

and they all are, essentially.

0:24:130:24:15

Bruce Anstey is not uncatchable, he will be hard to catch,

0:24:150:24:18

and Williams right on the back of this group now.

0:24:180:24:21

He's in with a shout as well.

0:24:210:24:22

One, two, three, four, five - that quickly,

0:24:220:24:25

and that is the battle for second place.

0:24:250:24:28

All the while, of course, while Bruce Anstey is leading,

0:24:280:24:30

the race will seem to be taking an awful long time to finish,

0:24:300:24:33

while the guys in second, third, fourth

0:24:330:24:36

will be going far too quickly for them.

0:24:360:24:39

Yeah, Bruce will come round every time to the start-finish line

0:24:390:24:42

and think, "Where's that crossed flag?"

0:24:420:24:45

Yeah, where is it?

0:24:450:24:46

So, again, all parts of the Dundrod circuit is lovely,

0:24:460:24:50

it just flows so well.

0:24:500:24:52

Lovely to ride, and must be fantastic to race on,

0:24:520:24:56

especially when you're travelling at this speed.

0:24:560:24:59

And going as well as everybody here is, Bruce is well away, isn't he?

0:24:590:25:03

You could see how hard he was pushing,

0:25:030:25:05

he drifted out into the corner and is getting on the speed.

0:25:050:25:09

Oh! Yes!

0:25:090:25:10

On Dean Harrison, over the line they go.

0:25:100:25:13

-So, it's Anstey from Hutchinson.

-That worked.

0:25:130:25:16

All that drive out of the corner

0:25:160:25:18

brought him up alongside Dean Harrison.

0:25:180:25:20

I'm not sure it's going to get him past Dean Harrison.

0:25:200:25:22

It hasn't yet, as they come down.

0:25:220:25:25

Dan Kneen.

0:25:250:25:27

No. I didn't think he would.

0:25:270:25:30

Ooh!

0:25:300:25:31

A great effort from Dan Kneen.

0:25:310:25:34

Bruce Anstey, this is mega from Bruce, isn't it?

0:25:340:25:37

Absolutely. Racing Bruce has arrived at the Ulster Grand Prix,

0:25:370:25:39

by the way, if no-one's noticed!

0:25:390:25:41

And Ian Hutchinson perhaps has got a little gap on this battle for third.

0:25:410:25:45

Harrison and Cummins and Kneen, out of Leathemstown they go.

0:25:450:25:49

And as I say that,

0:25:490:25:50

Hutchinson maybe just messed that up a little bit on the exit,

0:25:500:25:54

because he's allowed that gap to close back up again.

0:25:540:25:56

This is really good for Dean Harrison too.

0:25:560:25:59

He has been one of the cunning young men of this sport,

0:25:590:26:01

and here he is, mixing it at the very highest level.

0:26:010:26:05

And absolutely nothing to say, "Yeah, but he's good,"

0:26:050:26:07

but he is right there with them now.

0:26:070:26:09

-Well, he's one of them.

-Yup.

-Cummins, Harrison, Kneen,

0:26:090:26:12

the young guns of road racing now showing their potential

0:26:120:26:16

here at the Dundrod circuit

0:26:160:26:17

and mixing it with the likes of Ian Hutchinson.

0:26:170:26:20

And almost, Bruce Anstey, as Dan Kneen goes through.

0:26:200:26:22

This has been fantastic from Kneen, he has been spoken about a lot

0:26:220:26:26

in the last few years, but he seems to have come of age today.

0:26:260:26:30

He is really mixing it.

0:26:300:26:32

Nearly mixed it up completely there.

0:26:320:26:34

Hutchinson has a little gap,

0:26:340:26:36

not even on a break yet, but he has just eased away.

0:26:360:26:41

Bruce Anstey and then this four.

0:26:410:26:43

Don't discount William Dunlop - he could just get in there.

0:26:450:26:48

He could.

0:26:480:26:49

William's not the William Dunlop we were expecting,

0:26:490:26:53

that we normally expect, let's say, in a 600 race.

0:26:530:26:57

He's normally quite the kiddie, but he's struggling to match the pace.

0:26:570:27:01

I don't know if everyone else has just upped the game

0:27:010:27:04

a little bit over what was expected,

0:27:040:27:07

but Hutchy will not have second place easily.

0:27:070:27:10

No, he's not.

0:27:100:27:12

At the back, the likes of Peter Hickman,

0:27:120:27:15

Paul Jordan is going well and Christian Elkin,

0:27:150:27:18

but Bruce Anstey still out in front,

0:27:180:27:21

and I'm sure if you said to him before the race about everyone else,

0:27:210:27:25

being a typical 600 race, for him to be out on his own,

0:27:250:27:28

no-one would have expected that.

0:27:280:27:30

With the 600s, on the roads, and especially at Dundrod,

0:27:300:27:33

they all seem to be bunched together.

0:27:330:27:34

They are for second place, but not in the case of Bruce Anstey,

0:27:340:27:37

who is out in front. Look at the gap now!

0:27:370:27:40

Bruce is definitely riding as well as he ever has, probably better.

0:27:400:27:44

Hutchinson is back to his normal self.

0:27:440:27:46

Dean Harrison, we've just spoken about,

0:27:460:27:48

Dan Kneen and Conor Cummins,

0:27:480:27:50

these are all top riders performing

0:27:500:27:54

at the very top of the game.

0:27:540:27:56

Only Bruce Anstey can beat Bruce Anstey now,

0:27:560:27:58

this lead that he's got.

0:27:580:28:00

Into the hairpin they go.

0:28:000:28:02

Another iconic part of the Dundrod circuit.

0:28:020:28:05

This twist down to the start line,

0:28:060:28:09

this series of bends through Flowbog and down to

0:28:090:28:12

the start-finish line, very few places for overtaking,

0:28:120:28:17

unless you are doing last-lap, desperate manoeuvres.

0:28:170:28:20

You expect them to behave themselves.

0:28:200:28:23

We had one from Ian Hutchinson back in 2010.

0:28:230:28:27

Just going into Dawson's.

0:28:270:28:30

I don't think I will ever see anyone ever do that again.

0:28:300:28:33

It was such a remarkable move from Hutchinson.

0:28:330:28:36

Here they come to complete yet another lap.

0:28:360:28:39

Once again, Bruce Anstey... There goes Conor Cummins.

0:28:410:28:44

That worked this time.

0:28:440:28:46

It did. Just tucked in behind, pulled out of the slipstream.

0:28:460:28:50

Anstey must have been looking for the chequered flag

0:28:500:28:53

as he came past that time, but it wasn't there.

0:28:530:28:56

Hutchy is looking like the strongest of the pursuit now.

0:28:560:29:01

I think he might well have eased away from the fighting

0:29:010:29:04

that's going on behind him in second place

0:29:040:29:07

and that'll do him a power of good.

0:29:070:29:09

Whether there's enough time left for him to chase Bruce Anstey now

0:29:090:29:12

is another matter altogether.

0:29:120:29:14

Well, yeah, a couple of laps still to go,

0:29:140:29:16

whether or not it's going to happen remains to be seen.

0:29:160:29:19

Just wind the throttle back and keep going up into the sky,

0:29:210:29:25

this is an amazing race track.

0:29:250:29:27

Hutchinson trying to catch Bruce Anstey.

0:29:280:29:31

Never gives up, Hutchy, as you know.

0:29:310:29:34

If you know anything about Ian Hutchinson,

0:29:340:29:36

that is one thing you can definitely say -

0:29:360:29:38

he never gives up at anything.

0:29:380:29:40

So, over Deer's Leap they go,

0:29:400:29:41

and Hutchinson seems to have broken from Harrison, Cummins and Kneen.

0:29:410:29:45

William Dunlop seems to be off the pace of these three.

0:29:450:29:49

Dan Kneen at the back of this little group.

0:29:490:29:51

Always looking for an opportunity, Dan Kneen, not thinking,

0:29:510:29:54

"Let's go another lap and I'll nail them on the last corner,"

0:29:540:29:57

he's always looking for a way past.

0:29:570:30:00

Cummins looking for a way past on Dean Harrison,

0:30:020:30:05

not quite finding it.

0:30:050:30:07

So out of Quarterlands,

0:30:070:30:09

up to Ireland's they go.

0:30:090:30:11

Absolutely...

0:30:120:30:14

Even Hickman, at the back, you can see he is trying

0:30:140:30:17

everything he can

0:30:170:30:19

to try to catch the group ahead of them,

0:30:190:30:22

knocking it up.

0:30:220:30:23

The weather has improved enormously.

0:30:230:30:27

A little bit of sunshine in the late morning

0:30:270:30:30

here around the Dundrod Circuit,

0:30:300:30:33

as we go around the right-hand turn and up towards Jordan's Cross.

0:30:330:30:38

Still nothing between these three.

0:30:390:30:41

Ohhh!

0:30:410:30:44

Dan Kneen in the dirt!

0:30:440:30:46

That was too close for comfort.

0:30:460:30:48

-If there is not enough race track, invent some!

-Yes.

0:30:480:30:51

Conor Cummins and Dean Harrison will be unaware of what just happened

0:30:510:30:56

behind them, but it hasn't knocked Dan Kneen's confidence

0:30:560:31:00

by the looks of things.

0:31:000:31:02

I think when you're riding as close to the edge, like that,

0:31:020:31:05

as they are, it is all over before it has happened, really.

0:31:050:31:08

He will think about it afterwards,

0:31:080:31:10

but he won't really have taken it in just now.

0:31:100:31:13

Conor Cummins looking for a piece of racetrack there

0:31:130:31:16

that Dean Harrison was occupying.

0:31:160:31:18

He had to back off.

0:31:180:31:20

Dan Kneen has now closed up

0:31:200:31:22

and look at William Dunlop coming in on the back of Dan Kneen as well.

0:31:220:31:25

Meanwhile, Bruce...

0:31:250:31:27

-Oh, Hutchison trying!

-He's not the only one.

-No, he's not.

0:31:270:31:30

Conor Cummins heavy on the front brakes,

0:31:300:31:33

rear wheel lifting up, they are trying.

0:31:330:31:36

Did that let Dan Kneen get close enough

0:31:360:31:39

and get a drive on him?

0:31:390:31:40

-I don't think so.

-No.

-Conor Cummins might just have got away with that.

0:31:400:31:44

-I think he did.

-Bruce is absolutely in control of the race.

0:31:440:31:48

This is the battle for third that we are looking at.

0:31:480:31:50

It is a battle for third that William Dunlop...

0:31:500:31:52

There's enough time for him to get involved,

0:31:520:31:54

so four for that final rostrum position.

0:31:540:31:57

Again, Anstey just tends to drift it wide on the exit there.

0:31:570:32:00

But Hutchinson takes that a lot tighter.

0:32:000:32:02

He's getting closer, Ian Hutchinson.

0:32:020:32:04

Here comes Cummins. He nipped past Dan Kneen earlier.

0:32:040:32:08

COMMENTATORS GASP

0:32:080:32:10

Cummins just in third place from Dean Harrison.

0:32:100:32:14

Dean Harrison might have had a wheel in front.

0:32:140:32:17

They are side by side now.

0:32:170:32:19

He has come up on the leaderboard, as Dan Kneen comes through!

0:32:190:32:22

What a move from Dan Kneen!

0:32:220:32:23

He's taken both of them!

0:32:230:32:25

-Remarkable.

-Watching for an opportunity,

0:32:250:32:28

and he just saw one and snatched it.

0:32:280:32:30

That was tremendous work from Dan Kneen.

0:32:300:32:32

-Brilliant from Dan Kneen.

-Great 600 racing.

0:32:320:32:35

Dan Kneen is fulfilling his potential.

0:32:350:32:37

OK, he's not... Oh, now... Red flag.

0:32:370:32:40

-Ah...

-What a shame.

0:32:400:32:42

Just when we were hoping...

0:32:420:32:44

I think that was it, just a bit of debris on the track,

0:32:440:32:48

rather than anything less appealing,

0:32:480:32:51

but that means we are going to get a result, I think,

0:32:510:32:53

and go back to the last time they went over the line.

0:32:530:32:57

That means that Ian Hutchinson's

0:32:570:32:58

pursuit of Bruce Anstey

0:32:580:33:00

is never going to happen.

0:33:000:33:01

Bruce deserves that one.

0:33:010:33:03

Conor Cummins, a fighting third.

0:33:030:33:05

Dan Kneen gets his fifth place,

0:33:050:33:07

not where he fought his way up to.

0:33:070:33:09

Bruce, congratulations.

0:33:090:33:10

No-one likes to see a raised red flag

0:33:100:33:12

but your brilliant run continues.

0:33:120:33:14

Yeah. It was a good win. A bit dodgy conditions,

0:33:140:33:18

so I thought I'd better make the most of it.

0:33:180:33:20

I wanted to make them brake on the Yamahas,

0:33:200:33:22

because I struggle with top speed on the Yamahas,

0:33:220:33:25

so I put my head down on the first couple of laps

0:33:250:33:27

just to get a bit of a break and it worked out.

0:33:270:33:30

The undisputed master around Dundrod was the great Joey Dunlop.

0:33:370:33:41

He had 24 wins here, in a glittering road-racing career.

0:33:410:33:45

His son Gary is riding in the Ulster Grand Prix for the first time

0:33:450:33:50

and is carrying the famous number three.

0:33:500:33:52

Gary, how special is it to be here and have that famous number three?

0:33:540:33:59

Being here is a big thing for me

0:33:590:34:02

because it's been my favourite race since I was a cub

0:34:020:34:05

so being here is pretty special.

0:34:050:34:07

You'll have the famous yellow helmet on,

0:34:070:34:09

you'll be guaranteed a lot of support.

0:34:090:34:12

Aye. It's something I've always wanted to wear.

0:34:120:34:15

I wore it whenever I rode my bicycle in the yard

0:34:150:34:19

when I was a young boy.

0:34:190:34:21

I do take pride in wearing it. It's nice.

0:34:210:34:25

Phillip, it's great to see Gary

0:34:270:34:29

carrying on that proud family tradition.

0:34:290:34:32

Yeah, the Dunlop name here at the Ulster Grand Prix.

0:34:320:34:34

The grandstand is named after Joey.

0:34:340:34:36

I remember many races against Joey around here

0:34:360:34:40

so it's great to see Gary back on the grid.

0:34:400:34:42

We remember the famous days of Joey, Robert and myself

0:34:420:34:45

screaming round here on 250s.

0:34:450:34:48

The people love it, and it's great to see it back.

0:34:480:34:51

OK. While Phillip gets nostalgic,

0:34:510:34:53

we'll hand you across to Dave and Richard!

0:34:530:34:55

So, the front row, then, is Neil Kernohan on his own.

0:34:570:34:59

Paul Owen hasn't been able to make it round.

0:34:590:35:02

He broke down at Cochranstown. As the lights go out and away we go,

0:35:020:35:05

and Neil Kernohan with a belter of a start, as you would expect.

0:35:050:35:09

No-one able to exploit the spaces just ahead of them.

0:35:090:35:12

Gartland did get a good start,

0:35:120:35:14

on the far side of row two.

0:35:140:35:16

He had it all to himself, so you'd expect him to be in second place.

0:35:160:35:20

Kernohan way out in front.

0:35:200:35:22

Look at Davy Morgan making his way through.

0:35:220:35:25

I think he could be going up into second place here.

0:35:250:35:27

Could he? He's ahead of Gartland.

0:35:270:35:29

He did this on Wednesday in the Dundrod 150... Thursday, I mean.

0:35:290:35:34

As the 125s get underway, with Christian Elkin in pole position,

0:35:340:35:38

his normal clean start, absolutely perfect from him.

0:35:380:35:42

Melissa Kennedy got off the line well.

0:35:420:35:44

Yes, Dunlop, the familiar helmet,

0:35:440:35:46

colours of his father Joey, not getting the best of starts.

0:35:460:35:49

But it's all about the race, isn't it?

0:35:490:35:51

Absolutely. So, Kernohan out in front.

0:35:510:35:54

This is what Davy Morgan did in the Dundrod the other day -

0:35:540:35:57

came off of the back of that whole wave

0:35:570:36:00

and straight through on the Flying Kilo. Amazing start.

0:36:000:36:03

Then it was a very close race all the way,

0:36:030:36:05

but it looks as though Neil Kernohan

0:36:050:36:07

has made great use of that empty front row

0:36:070:36:09

and scooted off up the road.

0:36:090:36:12

We are on board with Paul Jordan,

0:36:120:36:14

who was unfortunate not to finish the previous race.

0:36:140:36:17

Neil Kernohan must be wondering where everyone's gone.

0:36:200:36:23

That was a great start from him,

0:36:230:36:25

even though he didn't need it that badly.

0:36:250:36:28

29, Sam Wilson on the 125s.

0:36:280:36:30

There's Gary Dunlop,

0:36:300:36:32

just behind number seven, Melissa Kennedy.

0:36:320:36:35

On board with Paul Gartland.

0:36:390:36:41

Been having a very reasonable season, Paul Gartland,

0:36:410:36:45

one of the stalwarts of the road-racing paddock

0:36:450:36:49

around Northern Ireland, but... Oh!

0:36:490:36:52

Front wheels chattering!

0:36:520:36:55

The 250s running round this track a little easier than the 125s.

0:37:000:37:05

You've really got to wind the 125s up and give them a good shake

0:37:050:37:08

to get them to go faster. They've got to carry speed everywhere.

0:37:080:37:12

There's a bit more stop and squirt with the 250s

0:37:120:37:14

that you can get away with.

0:37:140:37:16

-Ooh...

-Ooh...no...

0:37:210:37:23

Yes! Paul Gartland has done it.

0:37:230:37:26

Up the inside of Darryl Tweed,

0:37:260:37:28

who chatters his way into the Lindsay Hairpin once again.

0:37:280:37:31

He had trouble with this hairpin

0:37:310:37:34

and he wanted to be there for that.

0:37:340:37:36

I think he thinks that's his best opportunity.

0:37:360:37:39

Oh, dear, straight on.

0:37:390:37:42

It's the same story in both races.

0:37:450:37:47

Christian Elkin has done his usual disappearing trick!

0:37:470:37:50

Neil Kernohan has... Ohh!

0:37:500:37:52

Oh, they touched!

0:37:520:37:54

Oh, that was not very good at all.

0:37:540:37:57

That was the Canadian rider, Singleton.

0:37:570:38:00

-Boy, oh boy, oh boy, that was close.

-That hurt, I bet.

0:38:000:38:03

That must have come as a nasty shock. No blue flags, as you say,

0:38:030:38:07

so all of a sudden, somebody barges past you, like that,

0:38:070:38:10

and Neil Kernohan collecting a chequered flag

0:38:100:38:13

that was pretty much a formality

0:38:130:38:15

from the moment he was left alone on the front row.

0:38:150:38:18

So, Neil Kernohan from Davy Morgan,

0:38:180:38:20

somebody else who was pretty much alone.

0:38:200:38:23

Darryl Tweed, Steve Morrison and Paul Gartland -

0:38:230:38:25

that is how that little duel finished up.

0:38:250:38:28

Pretty similar story in the 125s.

0:38:300:38:32

Christian Elkin's win not really a formality,

0:38:320:38:34

but he made it look easy, as he so often does.

0:38:340:38:37

Sam Wilson second, Paul Robinson ahead of Gary Dunlop,

0:38:370:38:40

Nigel Moore, and Melissa Kennedy coming home in sixth place.

0:38:400:38:44

One of the riders who has impressed on the local road-racing scene

0:38:480:38:52

is Dubliner Derek Sheils.

0:38:520:38:54

He's hoping to mix it on the big bike with the very best.

0:38:540:38:58

Derek, how are you feeling about this week?

0:38:580:39:01

Form has looked good in qualifying.

0:39:010:39:03

Yeah, it's been a surprise, really.

0:39:030:39:05

The bikes are going well, John Burrows runs a tight ship here.

0:39:050:39:08

He had an engine blow up on the big bike,

0:39:080:39:10

an hour later we had another engine in

0:39:100:39:12

and got on the next session, so, yeah, it's a bit of a surprise

0:39:120:39:15

but I know I can ride a bike

0:39:150:39:17

and I hope to be there or thereabouts or somewhere!

0:39:170:39:20

What has it been like, mixing it with those big names?

0:39:200:39:23

It's cool. I've been racing in the same paddock as Michael for years

0:39:230:39:27

so I chat away to him. There's no bother.

0:39:270:39:29

Whenever you get out on the track,

0:39:290:39:31

you don't think about them being a big name,

0:39:310:39:33

you just ride against them. Well, I don't, anyway.

0:39:330:39:37

What would it mean to get a podium here?

0:39:370:39:40

Brilliant. I dream of it. So, we'll see what happens.

0:39:400:39:42

This is practice racing, so if you can get away in the front group,

0:39:420:39:46

you're in with a shout. Hopefully we will be in with a shout.

0:39:460:39:50

One new addition at this year's Ulster Grand Prix

0:39:520:39:55

is super-pole, which determines the grid positions

0:39:550:39:57

at the head of the Superbikes' race.

0:39:570:40:00

Clerk of the course Noel Johnston can explain.

0:40:000:40:03

Noel, tell us what super-pole is and why you brought it in.

0:40:060:40:11

I thought it would be good for the spectators

0:40:110:40:15

and also for the competitors.

0:40:150:40:17

They're getting a clear road,

0:40:170:40:19

nobody in front of them to get a good quick lap in.

0:40:190:40:22

And taking full advantage was Bruce Anstey,

0:40:220:40:25

fresh from his supersport win.

0:40:250:40:28

The New Zealander took pole

0:40:280:40:29

but hot on his heels - again - were Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson.

0:40:290:40:33

Well, this is the main event, the Ulster Grand Prix Superbike race.

0:40:370:40:41

Phillip, this is the one they all want.

0:40:410:40:43

This is the one people want today,

0:40:430:40:45

and I believe, to be honest, the lap record will go.

0:40:450:40:47

At the minute, it's over 133mph,

0:40:470:40:50

and I think before the end of this race,

0:40:500:40:53

it will go to 134 or a little bit more.

0:40:530:40:55

Who are your main contenders?

0:40:550:40:57

I think we have to talk about Michael Dunlop.

0:40:570:40:59

Michael is hungry, he hasn't had a win yet and he wants one.

0:40:590:41:02

That bike he's riding has been out seven times this year

0:41:020:41:05

and has had seven wins, so it's looking for number eight,

0:41:050:41:08

but Hutchy wants a win, Bruce Anstey is here on that new Honda,

0:41:080:41:12

he wants to win,

0:41:120:41:13

but Hickman, he has had a slow BSB season, he wants a road win.

0:41:130:41:18

He won here last year, so I'm just not sure who it's going to be.

0:41:180:41:23

Teed up beautifully. It's going to be a biggie.

0:41:230:41:26

Let's hand you over to Dave and Richard.

0:41:260:41:28

And here's a little bit of history for you -

0:41:280:41:31

the first-ever grid at the Ulster Grand Prix

0:41:310:41:34

to be decided by a super-pole outing.

0:41:340:41:37

It has worked in that we have got

0:41:370:41:38

arguably the four best riders on the front row -

0:41:380:41:41

Bruce Anstey, Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson and Peter Hickman.

0:41:410:41:44

Still arguing about that one in the paddock

0:41:440:41:47

and I dare say it will go on for ages

0:41:470:41:50

but this race is about to start now

0:41:500:41:52

with those first two rows decided.

0:41:520:41:55

Peter Hickman, again, front wheel up in the air.

0:41:550:41:57

He needs to get that down on the ground as soon as he can.

0:41:570:42:00

We're on board with Dean Harrison. How tight is it through here?

0:42:000:42:03

The road opens up along the Flying Kilo.

0:42:030:42:05

Hickman is getting mugged, though. Hickman's going backwards!

0:42:050:42:08

He was in first, and he's going to fourth

0:42:080:42:10

as they go out of the Flying Kilo. Dan Kneen leads!

0:42:100:42:14

That was a start for Peter Hickman

0:42:140:42:16

but he didn't make the getaway that he did

0:42:160:42:18

in the superstock earlier on.

0:42:180:42:21

He is now being passed by ones and twos.

0:42:210:42:24

That was Bruce Anstey whistling past on a Honda.

0:42:240:42:28

It's all about being in the lead group at Leathemstown,

0:42:280:42:31

because you can lose two or three places,

0:42:310:42:33

and you will do in the slipstream,

0:42:330:42:35

but you've got to be in this main group

0:42:350:42:37

going to the top of Deer's Leap to have a chance of winning this race.

0:42:370:42:40

They're overtaking each other.

0:42:400:42:42

You'll be seeing this quite often over this opening lap.

0:42:420:42:45

Steve Mercer getting mugged as well.

0:42:450:42:47

They will turn right and then go down over Deer's Leap.

0:42:470:42:50

Watch the windsock and you see it is fairly brisk over there.

0:42:500:42:53

Picks the bike up and moves it across the road

0:42:530:42:56

while the front wheel is pulling the air.

0:42:560:42:58

It really is a moment, that corner, and it is totally blind

0:42:580:43:02

on the approach as well.

0:43:020:43:04

Down into Cochranstown, then it's up to Quarterlands,

0:43:060:43:09

through to Ireland's. We are on board with William Dunlop.

0:43:090:43:11

Out front it's all action, it's all happening.

0:43:110:43:14

Ian Hutchinson from Bruce Anstey. One and two on the road.

0:43:140:43:16

Anstey trying to gain on Hutchinson if he can.

0:43:160:43:19

We are back with Derek Sheils a little further down the order.

0:43:190:43:22

He was around eighth or ninth place. But here they come.

0:43:220:43:25

And that's Conor Cummins going past Dan Kneen.

0:43:250:43:28

Blurring through the kerb cam there.

0:43:280:43:31

Poor old Dan Kneen, such a great start,

0:43:310:43:32

but he has been passed by everyone else.

0:43:320:43:35

Anstey is having a look at Hutchinson. Will he get past?

0:43:350:43:37

-Yes, he will.

-Wow. Bruce Anstey passed Ian Hutchinson.

0:43:370:43:40

These two are having a great day so far.

0:43:400:43:42

Dean Harrison loses a position to Conor Cummins. Is that...

0:43:420:43:46

Yes, Conor Cummins definitely on the move, isn't he?

0:43:460:43:49

But it's Anstey on the Honda.

0:43:490:43:51

Clive Padgett's got that thing absolutely immaculately prepped

0:43:510:43:55

as usual. Now see if he can make the break.

0:43:550:43:59

Harrison wants that place back.

0:43:590:44:02

Conor Cummins at Jordan's, but manages to keep on the power

0:44:020:44:04

and keep Harrison at bay.

0:44:040:44:07

What a start to this race already.

0:44:070:44:09

And Steve's making a break for it.

0:44:090:44:11

Michael Dunlop has got Hickman going past him

0:44:110:44:13

at the top of the circuit! Hickman back into third.

0:44:130:44:16

So it is Bruce Anstey, from that man Hutchinson behind him.

0:44:160:44:21

Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop.

0:44:210:44:23

Then it's Conor Cummins, then it's this man, Dean Harrison.

0:44:230:44:26

-No.

-It's not.

-It is Dan Kneen!

0:44:260:44:28

Dan Kneen was shaping up for the move

0:44:280:44:30

and Dan Kneen, having been passed four or five times,

0:44:300:44:32

wants to start passing. We're looking back at Dean Harrison.

0:44:320:44:35

Into the Lindsay Hairpin.

0:44:350:44:37

Different lines from different riders.

0:44:370:44:40

A little bit of place-swapping going on.

0:44:400:44:42

Dan Kneen having a go at Conor Cummins.

0:44:420:44:44

We're on board with Steve Mercer.

0:44:440:44:46

Conor Cummins giving it a bit on the big Honda

0:44:460:44:49

as he went round the hairpin.

0:44:490:44:51

But we're back with Anstey and Hutchinson,

0:44:510:44:53

these two battling away.

0:44:530:44:55

Hickman as well is going to come into the picture, you would imagine.

0:44:550:44:58

So too Michael Dunlop, yet to win a race today.

0:44:580:45:00

He'll be gunning for this one.

0:45:000:45:03

It's unusual to see any big race event in Northern Ireland

0:45:030:45:07

without a Dunlop on the top step of the podium

0:45:070:45:10

at some point in the day and, of course, the feature race

0:45:100:45:13

is the one everybody wants to win.

0:45:130:45:15

Replay of the start. We're on board with Derek Sheils.

0:45:180:45:21

-Dan Kneen's the man to watch.

-Michael Dunlop very slow.

0:45:210:45:24

Yes, but that doesn't concern him.

0:45:240:45:26

If anyone can get away with a slow start, it is Michael Dunlop.

0:45:260:45:29

Peter Hickman was on to a flyer

0:45:290:45:31

but pushed back to fourth.

0:45:310:45:33

This is with William Dunlop now.

0:45:330:45:35

Watch Dan Kneen, to the right of the picture.

0:45:350:45:38

Oh, so close to the hedge as well!

0:45:380:45:40

Watch everybody on both sides, really!

0:45:400:45:43

Take your pick!

0:45:430:45:45

It is a narrow section of the course.

0:45:450:45:47

It's really quite extraordinary how using both sides of the road,

0:45:470:45:50

there still isn't very much room.

0:45:500:45:53

Especially at the speeds they are reaching at the start of the race.

0:45:530:45:56

Anyway, back to the action.

0:45:560:45:58

It's still Bruce Anstey from Ian Hutchinson.

0:45:580:46:01

They are stretching it.

0:46:010:46:03

That gap looked to be bigger from Hutchy back to third place

0:46:030:46:07

with Hutchy still very much in touch with Bruce Anstey,

0:46:070:46:10

so that race is still very much on.

0:46:100:46:13

Let's hope that Conor Cummins, Dan Kneen and Dean Harrison

0:46:130:46:16

can stay with the front four.

0:46:160:46:18

They are taking it to the absolute edge, aren't they?

0:46:180:46:21

Over the Cross they go, up the hill towards Wheeler's.

0:46:210:46:25

It's still Anstey from Hutchy.

0:46:250:46:27

Derek Sheils back in ninth place.

0:46:270:46:30

He's got Gary Johnson just ahead of him.

0:46:300:46:33

Steve Mercer behind. William Dunlop is behind him as well.

0:46:330:46:36

So down to Tornagrough.

0:46:360:46:38

-A little look behind from Bruce Anstey.

-Unbelievable!

0:46:380:46:41

He might be pleased to see he hasn't got six or seven riders

0:46:410:46:45

-right on his back wheel.

-He has got four!

0:46:450:46:50

They have closed that gap.

0:46:500:46:51

He has the big ones - Hutchinson and Hickman.

0:46:510:46:54

Is he holding up Hutchy and letting the others come to him?

0:46:540:46:56

I don't think so. Watch the way Anstey takes the corners.

0:46:560:47:00

It is not someone who is hitting the anchors,

0:47:000:47:02

squaring off the turns.

0:47:020:47:03

He's keeping the speed up as much as he can

0:47:030:47:05

and getting on the pass.

0:47:050:47:07

Lovely, super smooth, all four of them.

0:47:070:47:09

Four fantastic riders in the top four positions,

0:47:090:47:12

and Conor Cummins and Dan Kneen having a great Ulster Grand Prix.

0:47:120:47:16

Dean Harrison's having a great year as well so far.

0:47:160:47:19

Even if you take the top four out,

0:47:190:47:21

this would be a great battle for the lead of the race,

0:47:210:47:23

and it is only for fifth place!

0:47:230:47:25

Here we go, then.

0:47:250:47:27

They are back together as a foursome.

0:47:270:47:30

It was just Bruce Anstey and Ian Hutchinson,

0:47:300:47:32

but now there's four riders in it.

0:47:320:47:35

This race is just starting to warm up, isn't it?

0:47:350:47:38

Really is. Hutchinson is looking really quick.

0:47:380:47:41

He's looking to try and get on the back of Anstey, if he can.

0:47:410:47:44

Dan Kneen goes through. Oh, Hutchinson - 133.4.

0:47:440:47:47

Half a second outside the lap record for Hutchinson

0:47:470:47:51

but one-tenth of a second back to Anstey.

0:47:510:47:53

So, Hutchinson trying to get past Bruce Anstey,

0:47:530:47:56

trying to use the slipstream.

0:47:560:47:57

Trying to get out of Dawson's

0:47:570:47:59

right on the back wheel of Anstey, if he can,

0:47:590:48:01

but he just can't do it.

0:48:010:48:03

Sheils loses a position to William Dunlop by the looks of things.

0:48:030:48:06

No, sorry, Steve Mercer, that was.

0:48:060:48:08

That may be Dunlop going through there as well.

0:48:080:48:11

Derek Sheils is losing a couple of places

0:48:110:48:13

but it's all eyes at Leathemstown -

0:48:130:48:15

Anstey, Hutchinson, Hickman and Dunlop.

0:48:150:48:17

And here comes a little bit of a spurt from Hutchy there.

0:48:170:48:21

I think he got a good drive out of the corner

0:48:210:48:23

and so too did Dean Harrison.

0:48:230:48:25

He did. A little moment for Hickman as well.

0:48:250:48:27

Here goes Hutchinson. He's on the right side to make the move

0:48:270:48:30

and he's through.

0:48:300:48:32

So, Hutchy made his move

0:48:320:48:33

going up the hill towards Deer's Leap.

0:48:330:48:37

If you get this all the way going over the top,

0:48:370:48:40

it is breathtaking, that corner.

0:48:400:48:42

Still not quite the same as Tornagrough,

0:48:420:48:44

-which is the real man's...

-Michael Dunlop in third. Sorry, Richard.

0:48:440:48:47

Dunlop has gone through into third place

0:48:470:48:49

while we weren't looking.

0:48:490:48:51

So, he has gone past Peter Hickman.

0:48:510:48:53

It's now Hutchinson from

0:48:530:48:54

Anstey from Michael Dunlop from Peter Hickman.

0:48:540:48:57

Maybe not, because look at this battle for second place.

0:48:570:49:00

Anstey under pressure from Michael Dunlop.

0:49:000:49:02

That is pressure, isn't it?

0:49:020:49:04

Anstey seems to be feeling the pace now

0:49:040:49:07

after leading the race for so long. It's Hutchy out in front,

0:49:070:49:11

Anstey second and Hickman...

0:49:110:49:13

Trying really hard. Really, really hard.

0:49:130:49:16

They're all trying really, really hard. Remarkable!

0:49:160:49:20

Hutchinson, but he can't break Anstey. Anstey staying with him.

0:49:200:49:24

This race, Jack, definitely brings out the best in everybody

0:49:240:49:28

who comes here. It just invites you to go racing.

0:49:280:49:31

They're all loving the way it swoops through the corners.

0:49:310:49:34

A lot of them are totally blind on the approach, as well.

0:49:340:49:38

It's a breathtaking place to ride a motorbike.

0:49:380:49:41

-Ohh! Dan Kneen had to hold off there from Dean Harrison.

-Yes.

0:49:410:49:45

-That was close.

-That was very close.

0:49:450:49:48

That's what happens when you take up the invitation

0:49:480:49:50

to go racing at the Dundrod Circuit.

0:49:500:49:53

Michael Dunlop is sniffing hard around Bruce Anstey.

0:49:530:49:57

He has to back off slightly, his wheel is there.

0:49:570:50:01

Hutchy has his head down now, looking very assured at the front

0:50:010:50:05

of this race. I think he is controlling it quite nicely

0:50:050:50:09

at the moment and letting the others battle over second place.

0:50:090:50:13

-It's not much of a gap, is it?

-Not really. We've got Peter Hickman,

0:50:130:50:17

who races most weeks in the British Superbike Championship,

0:50:170:50:20

Hutchinson, who races most weeks in the British Superstock Championship,

0:50:200:50:24

Michael Dunlop, who's on the roads

0:50:240:50:25

and has done some British championship this year,

0:50:250:50:28

and Bruce Anstey, who gets out of bed and hops on a Superbike,

0:50:280:50:31

and he's in second place!

0:50:310:50:32

Showed up this morning and decided to go racing!

0:50:320:50:34

And he's considerably older than the three guys he's racing against,

0:50:340:50:38

and throws out any kind of mince or whatever

0:50:380:50:41

about being on a race bike continuing all the time.

0:50:410:50:44

Yes. He's not exactly got all the seat time the other guys have got

0:50:440:50:47

but as we have always said about Bruce,

0:50:470:50:49

if he decides he wants to go racing, pretty much no-one can stop him.

0:50:490:50:54

And he's having another think about Hutchy now.

0:50:540:50:56

He's got Michael Dunlop breathing down his neck.

0:50:560:50:59

He's decided that he needs to get away from that, I think.

0:50:590:51:01

Hickman watching this as they go over the line.

0:51:010:51:04

Oh! Oh! It's a fast one. Hickman a shade outside the lap record.

0:51:040:51:08

133.89!

0:51:080:51:10

Oh! Well, it looks fast and that is because it is fast.

0:51:100:51:13

Anstey, Michael Dunlop and Hickman on the outside.

0:51:130:51:18

It's a bit calmer further back down the field,

0:51:180:51:21

but don't forget, everybody here is still giving it everything.

0:51:210:51:25

And they're all reaching up into the high 80s in top speed

0:51:250:51:29

going through the speed trap. This is not a slow race.

0:51:290:51:33

Get the drive out of the corner,

0:51:330:51:35

away up the hill towards Deer's Leap.

0:51:350:51:37

Hutchy looking very strong now

0:51:370:51:40

and that is Anstey under pressure behind him.

0:51:400:51:43

-Where is Michael Dunlop?

-Here comes Bruce Anstey!

0:51:430:51:46

I don't think he will get through, will he?

0:51:460:51:48

He will! He has done to Hutchinson what Hutchinson did to him before,

0:51:480:51:52

at exactly the same spot. Anstey into the lead.

0:51:520:51:55

We're thinking, is Michael Dunlop catching Bruce Anstey?

0:51:550:51:58

But, no, because he has cleared off back off in front

0:51:580:52:01

and away down the hill.

0:52:010:52:02

Here comes Dunlop, looking at Ian Hutchinson now.

0:52:020:52:04

Looking very closely at Ian Hutchinson.

0:52:040:52:07

But just having to back off through Cochranstown.

0:52:070:52:10

It's a fast corner, this, and then the flick left into Ireland's.

0:52:100:52:14

The next one along is equally exciting.

0:52:140:52:16

There is nowhere on the circuit you'd be bored watching, really.

0:52:160:52:20

Exactly. And that's why thousands upon thousands are here watching

0:52:200:52:23

the Ulster Grand Prix. Now, then, we have lost Peter Hickman.

0:52:230:52:27

We have lost Peter Hickman.

0:52:270:52:29

He was very close and he is not very close now.

0:52:290:52:32

Back on board with Dean Harrison.

0:52:320:52:34

We might just see through with Dean Harrison

0:52:340:52:36

if we'll pick up Peter...

0:52:360:52:38

No, that's through Ireland's.

0:52:380:52:40

We've not seen where we've lost Peter Hickman.

0:52:400:52:42

What a shame. He went through the speed trap - 199.8mph.

0:52:420:52:46

So, what a shame. It was a four-way fight,

0:52:460:52:49

now it's a three-way fight,

0:52:490:52:51

and it's Anstey ahead of Hutchinson now, as well.

0:52:510:52:53

So, Michael Dunlop in third.

0:52:530:52:55

What's he going to do? Wait a bit?

0:52:550:52:57

Michael Dunlop doesn't do much waiting

0:52:570:53:00

so he'll be trying his hardest...

0:53:000:53:02

Oh, look at Hutchinson!

0:53:020:53:04

Plenty of movement on that bike, he's in control of it, though,

0:53:040:53:07

we're back with Steve Mercer.

0:53:070:53:08

But Ian Hutchinson wants first place back from Bruce Anstey.

0:53:080:53:12

And he's got it. Hutchinson is through on Anstey.

0:53:140:53:16

Michael Dunlop back in third. We're back with Dean Harrison.

0:53:160:53:19

-That's Conor Cummins...

-Just in front.

-Yeah.

0:53:190:53:23

And he still is, but it is Hutchy from Anstey,

0:53:230:53:26

and then Michael Dunlop looking for

0:53:260:53:27

a way round the outside of the Honda.

0:53:270:53:29

That's a brave place to try that one

0:53:290:53:32

and that's a brave place to do it.

0:53:320:53:34

Backmarkers. Backmarkers! Right at the Lindsay Hairpin.

0:53:340:53:37

Hutchinson, Anstey...

0:53:370:53:40

This should work out OK for these three riders.

0:53:410:53:44

Michael Dunlop really getting out of the corner very, very well.

0:53:440:53:48

That's one thing that BMW does, is dig itself out of the corners hard.

0:53:480:53:53

Not a lot of overtaking opportunities down here

0:53:560:53:59

but there's a lot of traffic going on.

0:53:590:54:01

Will this confuse the issue?

0:54:010:54:04

Michael Dunlop and Anstey have been held up,

0:54:040:54:06

and Hutchinson, it's going to work in Hutchinson's favour.

0:54:060:54:10

Ian Hutchinson. Yeah, it's Ian Hutchinson now,

0:54:100:54:13

Michael Dunlop trying to get through on Bruce Anstey.

0:54:130:54:15

He won't pass through Dawson's.

0:54:150:54:18

That has pretty much settled the order

0:54:180:54:21

as they go over the line for the final time.

0:54:210:54:24

So, half a second between Hutchinson and Anstey.

0:54:260:54:30

It was 500ths of a second between Anstey and Hutchinson

0:54:300:54:32

at the end of the previous lap.

0:54:320:54:34

This is through Dawson's with Steve Mercer.

0:54:340:54:37

Now all the backmarkers will know what is happening

0:54:390:54:42

and they will be aware of it

0:54:420:54:44

and the best thing they can do is just do what they normally do

0:54:440:54:47

and hold their line

0:54:470:54:49

and let the others find their way past.

0:54:490:54:51

You can be too helpful on some occasions.

0:54:530:54:57

It will be interesting to see what is going to happen now

0:54:570:55:00

on this run up the hill.

0:55:000:55:02

It's separated them out quite a lot, hasn't it?

0:55:020:55:05

-It has. It just depends now...

-Oh, I spoke too soon.

0:55:050:55:08

It's not going to be a race that's decided by backmarkers,

0:55:080:55:11

as we saw earlier on in some of the races today.

0:55:110:55:15

People reacting to backmarkers.

0:55:150:55:17

But Hutchinson, it seems to have worked for him.

0:55:170:55:19

Bruce Anstey in second, Michael Dunlop in third.

0:55:190:55:21

No-one has changed place, at least.

0:55:210:55:23

They are a little bit closer than they were

0:55:230:55:26

when they cleared the start-finish area, if you like,

0:55:260:55:30

and back out on their own,

0:55:300:55:32

but it has definitely taken the temperature

0:55:320:55:35

down to something below boiling point.

0:55:350:55:38

So, it looks like Ian Hutchinson has got the measure of this race,

0:55:380:55:41

we're waiting for him to come into view. Here he is.

0:55:410:55:44

Hutchinson from Anstey, Michael Dunlop just too far off,

0:55:440:55:47

you would say. Well, for any other rider, you would say too far off,

0:55:470:55:50

but we are talking Michael Dunlop,

0:55:500:55:52

and if anyone can make that distance, it is Michael Dunlop.

0:55:520:55:56

We are riding now with his brother William.

0:55:560:55:59

Still without a Dunlop win at this meeting

0:55:590:56:02

and that's always an unusual thing.

0:56:020:56:05

So, Michael Dunlop looks to me to be too far back now

0:56:050:56:09

and there is traffic as well. That might hinder the other two

0:56:090:56:12

and give him an opportunity.

0:56:120:56:15

Possibly. It all depends on what part of the track

0:56:150:56:18

they come across the slower traffic.

0:56:180:56:20

But Hutchinson...

0:56:200:56:22

There's no blue flags, as well,

0:56:220:56:24

so the slower guys don't know.

0:56:240:56:26

The short circuits, they would have a blue flag waved...

0:56:260:56:28

BOTH GASP

0:56:280:56:30

-A moving chicane for Bruce Anstey!

-Taking no prisoners.

0:56:300:56:33

Absolutely on it!

0:56:330:56:35

It was like a moving chicane, wasn't it?

0:56:350:56:38

He went left and had to go right to go through and he's still there.

0:56:380:56:41

Michael Dunlop has finished on this one, third place for him.

0:56:410:56:45

Now, it's just whether Bruce Anstey can bring in Ian Hutchinson.

0:56:450:56:49

We will have to wait and see.

0:56:490:56:51

Oh, he's gaining as they go into the hairpin.

0:56:510:56:53

He's trying to keep the speed up by going wide

0:56:530:56:55

and will try to tuck it in tight and get back on the power.

0:56:550:56:58

Ohh! Hutchinson gets good drive out

0:56:580:57:00

so Hutchinson, as we go back to Dean Harrison,

0:57:000:57:03

trying to chase down Conor Cummins,

0:57:030:57:06

which he won't do now, at this point.

0:57:060:57:07

But will Bruce Anstey be able to get Ian Hutchinson?

0:57:070:57:11

I'd have to say this is Hutchinson territory as well,

0:57:110:57:14

and it is Hutchinson territory!

0:57:140:57:15

Look at the way he is riding that bike.

0:57:150:57:17

Seven laps completed,

0:57:170:57:19

Ian Hutchinson's name will be on the top of the leaderboard

0:57:190:57:22

as his backside comes out of the seat!

0:57:220:57:24

What a race! What a result!

0:57:240:57:26

Another win for Ian Hutchinson, Bruce Anstey takes second place

0:57:260:57:30

with Michael Dunlop third,

0:57:300:57:31

we're back with Steve Mercer

0:57:310:57:33

but, wow, what an Ulster Grand Prix that was.

0:57:330:57:35

I'll tell you what, if this was Rio,

0:57:350:57:38

all of these guys would be gold medallists.

0:57:380:57:40

That was an astonishing race.

0:57:400:57:42

Ian Hutchinson wasn't taking any chances

0:57:420:57:44

of being caught by Bruce Anstey

0:57:440:57:46

on that run to the line, was he?

0:57:460:57:48

Ian, this day just keeps getting better.

0:57:480:57:52

Yeah. That's the one you want, a Superbike.

0:57:520:57:55

It's eluded me at the North-West and the TT,

0:57:550:57:58

so, great to finish the year with a Superbike win

0:57:580:58:01

and it's probably one of the hardest races I've had round here,

0:58:010:58:04

racing a MotoGP bike, but it was quite thrilling watching it.

0:58:040:58:07

It sounds awesome and it handles totally different to our bikes

0:58:070:58:11

and he has got the back wheel up in the air on the brakes. Yeah...

0:58:110:58:15

Phillip McCallum, Dundrod has delivered again.

0:58:150:58:17

A superb day's action. Bruce Anstey is really on form.

0:58:170:58:21

Hutchy - two wins.

0:58:210:58:22

Michael Dunlop - things haven't gone his way yet.

0:58:220:58:25

-Incredible racing out there.

-Yeah, it's so exciting.

0:58:250:58:28

The hedges, the crowds, it's so, so fast.

0:58:280:58:32

OK. That's about it for now.

0:58:320:58:34

We are back tomorrow with a packed programme

0:58:340:58:37

but from everyone here at the Ulster Grand Prix, for now, it's bye-bye.

0:58:370:58:41

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS