Victory on Sunday in the Superbike ꦛclass was his 23rd career race win at the TT, equalling John McGuinness’ tally, and putting him just thre🔥e behind his uncle Joey Dunlop who holds the all-time record.

Pivotall♛y for Dunlop, this was a first Superbikes win in five years.

"Peopl🤪e thought I couldn't win on the big bikes any more," Dunlop ꦏtold .

"I might not seem it or look like it, but I'm deligꦓhted to prove I can 🎉still win on the big bike.

"People doubted me and m🃏y big bike abilဣity but Steve and Stuart [Hicken, OF Hawk Racing team] believed in me.

"They told me to get the best out ൩of the bike and assured me that I've still got it.

"No 𒅌matter whatဣ happens now, I've won a big bike race again.

"I have to say thanks to the Hickens f꧅or putting a great package under me. It was tough, it never gets any easier, but the bike felt good and I felt good. I'm happy.

"I built up a lead, managed it and rolled it off heavil𓆏y on the last lap, then I saw the gap coming down and some waved yellow flags came out.

"I was so nervous about trying to keep it going."

Dunlop finished 8.2s ahead of Pet💃er Hickman on Sunday.

A day earlier he won the Supersport race, an🗹d last week he broke the unofficial lap record during qualifying.

He has six further opportunities at this year’s event to chase his unc🍨le Joey’s total of 26 TT winꩲs.

Dunlop said:♛ "I'm not worried about the record, to be level with John McGuinness is fantastic though. 

"John is a great ambassador♏ for motorcycling in general.

"I'll just continue to ride hard and enjoy it."

McGuinness, who finished sixth in the Superbike race then embraced Dunlop for matching his tally afterwards, said: "ꦅIt's an amazing achievement by Michael. 

“I spent a lot of time with him in 2013 wওhen we were team-m▨ates and he deserves all the plaudits that come his way.”