Hickman passes 132mph to top second qualifying

Dunlop maintains Superstock control; Birchalls on top for sidecars

Peter Hickman became the first rider of TT 2023 so far to crack 132mph as the FHO Racing man set the fastest pace of the second qualifying session.

Elsewhere, after dominating all four classes yesterday, Michael Dunlop maintained top spot in the superstock class by a significant margin.

An oil spill in the Barregarrow area saw the supersport and supertwin session axed.

Meanwhile, Ben and Tom Birchall topped the sidecar standings for the evening setting an imperious pace at over 118mph.

The superbike practice saw yet another high bar set in terms of improving speeds with five riders finishing the session having clocked a 130+mph pace.

Hickman lead the charge by becoming the first rider at this year's TT so far to go above 132mph with a best lap speed of 132.079mph.

But remaining on his case in the class was Dean Harrison - he slotted in just 0.819 seconds off Hickman come the end of the session with the second-fastest time and a pace of 131.974mph.

Fastest man of the opening day, Michael Dunlop, went third quickest in Tuesday's Superbike outing at 131.141mph.

But for Dunlop, he would maintain his supremacy in the Superstock class as he outclassed his superbike speed on the other machine at 131.843mph.

Just eight competitors got the chance to run their Superstock machinery tonight - Davey Todd went second-quickest after three laps (126.63mph) but was a significant 42.415 seconds off Dunlop with Josh Brookes third recording a 126.282mph.

After that, the next outing of the evening had originally been due to see the supersport and supertwin bikes out on the course, however the session was cancelled due to marshals having to clear an oil spill on the course in the area of Barregarrow.

The final session of Tuesday went to the sidecars which started at a delayed time of 8.25pm following the oil spill, and the battle from the opening day between Ben & Tom Birchall and Pete Founds & Jevan Walmsley resumed at the top of the timing boards.

After Founds and Walmsley topped the standings on Monday, it was the Birchalls who took the fastest time of the latest qualifying, clocking 118.316mph as all outfits only had the chance to complete one lap as the setting sun began to become a factor for visibility.

The next qualifying session is due to take place tomorrow evening (31 May), with roads around the TT course due to shut at 6pm and reopen no later than 9.30pm.