Michael Dunlop uninjured after crash at Cookstown 100

Dunlop, who made a surprise appearance at the Orritor course fresh from competing in the famous Le Mans 24-Hours endurance race last weekend in France, claimed a dominant victory in the Open Superbike invitation race.

He later came off in the Supersport invitation race on his MD Racing Triumph but was unhurt in the incident.

The 34-year-old qualified second fastest on the front row for the Superbike opener behind Dominic Herbertson and blasted into the lead on the first lap.

Dunlop was never under threat as he led on each of the eight laps with an emphatic performance on the Hawk Racing Honda to register his 12th win at the event.

The Cookstown lap record holder increased his lead at the front on every lap and won by 15.2s in the end from Hexham man Herbertson on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW machine.

Herbertson was a long way clear of Skerries rider Michael Sweeney in third on the MJR BMW, who was making his Irish road racing comeback following a serious accident at the North West 200 last May.

It was a commanding display by Dunlop, who is embarking on a potentially historic season as he closes in on his famous uncle Joey’s record of 26 victories at the Isle of Man TT.

A four-timer on the island last year put him ahead of Morecambe’s John McGuinness and the 25-time winner could become the most successful TT rider ever in June.

Dunlop, though – who won both Supersport races, the opening Supertwin race and the Superbike TT in 2023 – felt it could have been even better.

“I was in eight races and won four – I didn’t win the other four so obviously you’re disappointed,” he said.

“I was disappointed with the (second) Twin race to be honest. We were fast at that point in the race and it’s just a pity the wee bike lay down, but that’s life.

“There’s no point in dwelling on those things because these things happen and the TT Course throws curve balls at you every day of the week – you have to just take them on the chin and batter on and keep moving on.”

Republic of Ireland rider Sweeney returned to the top step in his first Irish road racing appearance since his crash last May after holding off Herbertson and Darryl Tweed in the Supersport invitation race, with the trio covered by less than half-a-second.

Sweeney is glad to back in the thick of the action once more after missing last season through injury.

“I’ve got Cookstown, the North West 200 and TT and we’re going back to the Southern 100 as well,” Sweeney said.

“I missed it all last year and it’s been hard being away from it all.

“I’ve been doing this since 2005 and I think my first road race was probably the Skerries 100 or it might have been Cookstown, I’m not completely sure, so nearly 20 years.

“I just want to enjoy myself and basically get back to where I was a few years ago.”

Dunlop qualified on pole in the Supertwin class on the McAdoo Kawasaki ahead of Gareth Arnold (Aprilia) and Sweeney (Aprilia).

A Supertwin B race was also held last night with Dromoe’s Mark Johnson getting the verdict in a photo finish with Kevin Baker by eight thousandths of a second.

Roads close on Saturday at 7am for a 15-race programme and are set to open no later than 7:30pm.