until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Milwaukee BMW racer Davey Todd has defeated Peter Hickman in one of the closest-fought races of recent times at the Isle of Man TT, to take his first-ever victory at the historic event in the delayed and shortened opening Superstock TT event.
Todd managed a tiny lap of at times well under a second on the final lap of three to win from Hickman, with Michael Dunlop in third.
Hickman started only the second 1000cc race of the event (after significant weather delays pushed the schedule back) as the clear favourite given his dominance of the class in recent years - and despite Todd taking an early lead there was no real cause for concern in his FHO BMW team given Hickman’s usual steady starts.
However despite his best efforts, 15-time TT winner Hickman was never really ever able to close down the gap that Todd had established early on.
Drawing it down to only half a second halfway around the final lap, Todd then responded across the Mountain section of the course to stretch it out to 2.207 seconds at the chequered flag on Glencrutchery Road, setting an average speed of 135.092mph on the final 37.73-mile lap.
“The feeling is incredible,” he said after the race. I’m really struggling for words right now. It literally feels like a dream.
“I really owe it to the Milwaukee BMW guys because they put their faith in me. Getting the first one was always going to be special, and to do it in this way, battling with Hicky and Michael, is unbelievable.
“Everyone is so strong right now, everyone is so close, and the laptimes are insane. That makes it all the more special.”
Two-time winner this week Dunlop, who became the most successful TT racer of all time on Wednesday, came home in third, 17 seconds down on Hickman.
Thursday morning’s schedule originally saw the Sidecar TT get away first, before red flags came out for an incident involving TT newcomers and reigning world champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement at Waterworks.
Both were reported as OK, and the rescheduled race will run over two laps at 1400, followed by the second Supersport TT at 1515.
