TT 2017: Hutchinson wins Superbike thriller from Hickman
![Ian Hutchinson won the RST Superbike race on the Tyco BMW.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/legacy_oak_94976345.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Ian Hutchinson won the RST Superbike race on the Tyco BMW.](/img/placeholder.png)
The Bingley Bullet sealed a hard-earned win by five seconds from Peter Hickman on the Smiths BMW, with Dean Harrison taking third as he finished a further eight seconds back on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki. Hutchinson has now moved ahead of Mike Hailwood on the all-time TT winners' roll of honour.
There was massive disappointment for Ballymoney’s Michael Dunlop, who was leading the race when he was forced out with a problem on the Bennetts Suzuki at Handley’s corner on lap two.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe 28-year-old had an advantage of 1.4 seconds over Harrison after setting a scorching opening lap of 131.135mph before running into trouble. Dunlop’s standing start lap was the quickest of the race.
![Peter Hickman clinched his maiden TT rostrum on the Smiths BMW in second place.](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_94976346.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Peter Hickman clinched his maiden TT rostrum on the Smiths BMW in second place.](/img/placeholder.png)
After being switched from Saturday due to a revamp of the race schedule, Superbike Sunday proved worth the wait as a thrilling battle developed for the lead involving James Hillier (JG Speedfit Kawasaki), Harrison, Hutchinson and the late-charging Peter Hickman (Smiths BMW).
Following Dunlop’s demise, it was Harrison who held the advantage as he opened a gap of 5.4 seconds over Hillier after lapping at 130.907mph on lap two, with Hickman in third ahead of Hutchinson.
Yorkshireman Hutchinson gained time after a brilliant first stop by his team but it was Harrison who still led by 4.2 seconds at Ramsey on the third lap, with Hickman six seconds back.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHowever, Hutchinson – who has made the switch to Dunlop tyres this year – was beginning to find his groove on the S1000RR and had slashed Harrison’s lead to 1.2 seconds at the Bungalow on the Mountain.
![Peter Hickman clinched his maiden TT rostrum on the Smiths BMW in second place.](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/legacy_oak_94976346.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Peter Hickman clinched his maiden TT rostrum on the Smiths BMW in second place.](/img/placeholder.png)
The 37-year-old continued to make up ground and snatched the lead for the first time in the race as they moved onto lap four, with Harrison only 0.4 seconds adrift. Hickman was also upping the tempo as the TT’s fastest ever newcomer held third, 3.1 seconds behind Harrison.
The pendulum swung again as Bradford rider Harrison battled back to lead at Glen Helen by six tenths from Hutchinson, who forced his way back into the lead again by the time they reached Ramsey hairpin, but only by 0.070 seconds.
The second round of pit stops again saw Hutchinson come out on top as he gained five seconds, which enabled him to pull a gap of nine seconds by Glen Helen on the penultimate lap over Hillier, who had moved up to second.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHarrison dropped time in the pits and was now fourth behind Hickman, who was less than a second back on Hillier as the Smiths Racing rider began to mount a charge.
At the end of the lap, Hickman came through to take up the pursuit of Hutchinson, with the pair separated by 7.9 seconds at the Grandstand.
At Glen Helen, the difference was now only 2.5 seconds as slower riders began to enter the equation. Harrison had now taken third from Hillier, who was a huge 1m 23 seconds ahead of Dan Kneen in fifth. The Manx rider earlier lost time after incurring a 10-second penalty for speeding in pit lane.