Dunlop: 'That victory is for Trevor Ferguson'

Michael Dunlop dedicated his victory in yesterday's Classic Superbike race at the Manx Grand Prix to the memory of Northern Ireland rider Trevor Ferguson.

Mr Ferguson, from Castlecaulfield, was killed following an incident in the Supertwin event on Wednesday.

It was Dunlop's third Manx GP win and the 23-year-old, who reduced Russ Mountford's 20-second lead to five seconds before Mountford's engine blew, said: "The bike actually stopped up the Mountain and I was planning on pulling in on the first lap because the bike was off a cylinder and I only used three gears during the whole race.

"The bike wouldn't fire up on the start line and then we got it going, so we had a few problems.

"I'm surprised the bike kept going but thankfully it worked out in the end and thanks to all the boys who put the boards out for me.

"I had caught Russ and then I could see that his bike had blown," he added.

"I'd like to give that win to Trevor [Ferguson] - it's not much of a consolation but that's for him.

"My condolences go out to him and his family."

Dunlop closed the gap to 16 seconds on Mountford at the end of the second lap, posting the quickest lap of the race at 115.560mph.

With a slick pit stop the difference between the front two was down to five seconds by Glen Helen on the third lap with Mick Godfrey consolidating third place.

However, with the race set for a thrilling finish, reports came through that Mountford was a retirement at Sulby Bridge.

In the end, Dunlop's winning margin was a massive two minutes and 43 seconds over Mick Godfrey in second, with Alan Oversby third and Davy Morgan fourth.

Ryan Farquhar withdrew from the race after announcing his retirement from road racing in the wake of his uncle Trevor Ferguson's death.

Roy Richardson won the concurrently run Junior Post Classic race from Phil McGurk and David Mateer.