Michael Dunlop will have sights on the magic of Mondello Park

Mondello Park in Co Kildare is hosting the third round of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship this weekend, where Michael Dunlop is among the entries.

rider Ballymoney broke the record books in Armoy’s road races last month, when he scored five wins in five starts and broke his lap record in 2013.

It also capped a dominant weekend with a record-breaking ninth consecutive blue ribbon victory in the “Race of Legends” at its home reunion to the delight of thousands of fans.

Dunlop racked up the miles this year on the national short circuit scene and also in England, where he competed in a number of British Superbike tests and competed in the National Superstock 1000 race at Oulton Park at the start of the season.

The 19-time Isle of Man TT winner is set to compete in the Cookstown 100 next month (10-11 September) for the first time since 2018, which is the last Irish national road race in a season effectively wiped out for a second year. due to the impact of Covid-19.

Road rider Michael Sweeney is the surprise leader of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after the first two rounds, with the Dubliner eight points behind his Irish counterpart Derek Sheils.

Sweeney clinched his first podium in the season opener at Mondello and a streak of five second places put the MJR BMW driver at the wheel of the title with three innings remaining.

Sheils, a former Masters champion, and Richie Ryan of Kilkenny – the defending champion – will be on the pitch this weekend on the full international track, while Ballymena’s Luke Johnston is also a podium threat when he returns to series.

Kevin Keyes and Mike Browne are the main protagonists in the Supersport class, although both will be wary of the threat posed by Dunlop, who has been impressive on his Yamaha R6 during this year’s Ulster Superbike rounds in Kirkistown and Bishopscourt.

In the Supertwin class, Sweeney is a big favorite for the title as he tries to maintain his six-game winning streak.

A full set of support races will also be held, with the opening races for each class taking place today after qualifying. A stacked race card ends the meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, qualifying for the British round of the MotoGP World Championship takes place today at Silverstone.

Title leader Fabio Quartararo was the fastest yesterday on the factory Yamaha 0.5 seconds behind Australian Jack Miller (Lenovo Ducati). MotoGP rookie and home hero Jake Dixon finished 21st (Petronas Yamaha). The race will be broadcast on ITV tomorrow from 12:30 p.m.