Davey Todd fends off Michael Dunlop to win delayed Isle of Man TT Superbike race: ‘It was pretty special'
Todd was pushed hard by Dunlop (ROKiT BMW) but held on to win by just under 1.3s after four laps in the first race of the 2025 Isle of Man TT, which was delayed from a planned 10:45am start until 12 noon due to oils spills on the Mountain section and from Bray Hill to Quarterbridge.
The 29-year-old was seven seconds up after two laps but a slower pitstop than Dunlop cost him around six seconds.
Dunlop began to slash the deficit and was only 0.269s behind at Glen Helen on the final lap, but the Northern Ireland rider lost some ground when he caught Honda Racing's Dean Harrison on the road and also struggled with rear tyre problems.
Dunlop still recorded the fastest lap of the race at 135.416mph on the last lap, marginally quicker than Todd's 135.327mph effort.
It wasn't enough, though, as Todd held on for his third career victory at the TT, with Harrison taking third, 43.5s further back on Dunlop.
'It's pretty special,' Todd said.
'I don't think there's many guys who can say they've done that.
'I can't take the credit, though, for being team owner. It's the rest of the team who had done the hard miles, and Pete [Peter Hickman] included.
'Pete's worked his butt off to make this happen and I'm gutted for him and I can't wait till he's healed up and back battling with me.'
Hickman was ruled out of the TT after crashing in qualifying at Kerrowmoar on Friday evening.
Runner-up Dunlop said: 'It was hard. I was really down on the first lap and then started to claw my way back again.
'Then on the last lap I felt good, but I caught Dean at the wrong place and just started dropping seconds.
'Then we blew a hole in the tyre, the tyre's destroyed, so we lost all grip, which is highly disappointing because I knew on the last lap we could have a bit of a second breath and have another go.
'But it's just the way it is. I'm not sure what we can do to cure the issue we've now got.
'We now need to get to change that balance again for Saturday, but the lack of track time hasn't helped.'
Manxman Nathan Harrison finished fourth on the H&H Motorcycles Honda ahead of David Johnson (Platinum Club Kawasaki) and James Hillier (Muc-Off Honda), with 23-time winner John McGuinness (Honda Racing) in seventh.
Josh Brookes (Jackson Racing Honda) was eighth, with team-mate Paul Jordan 10th behind Michael Evans.
Conor Cummins retired on the Burrows/RK Racing BMW and Banbridge man Shaun Anderson crashed out at Joey's on the Mountain, escaping serious injury.
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Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
Third time in recent months Draper has obliterated frame on court Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JACK DRAPER broke the electronic advertising hoardings as he smashed his racquet... and crashed out of Queen's. The British No1 was desperate to book his place in the final in West London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Jack Draper broke the advertising hoarding at Queen's Credit: BBC Sport 9 The electric panel cut out Credit: BBC Sport 9 Draper's own sponsor Dunlop was showing at the time of his outburst Credit: Getty 9 His racquet frame cracked and mangled Credit: Getty 9 Draper appeared to hurt his hand and knee in the incident Credit: PA But he came up just short against Czech ace Jiri Lehecka, losing an agonising semi-final 6-4 4-6 7-5. And Draper's temper boiled over when he lost his serve at a crucial time late in the deciding set. The world No6 - who will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon - was beaten by a stunning clean backhand winner from his opponent to seal the break. And as Draper ran across the back of the Andy Murray Arena court, he let his frustration out. Careful not to damage the manicured lawn, the Sutton star whacked his Dunlop racquet into the electronic board at the side of the court. But as he did so, the screen - ironically showing a red-and-white advert for his own sponsors Dunlop - crackled and then cut out. The top part of the hoarding also came away. But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Because Draper also cracked right through his frame to break his racquet, sending his shock absorber flying. And it appeared he may have hurt himself too as he checked his hand and hobbled gingerly to his chair for the changeover with blood on his knee. He's very lucky' - Tennis star's racket almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes Draper was given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Adel Nour - having earlier escaped punishment for blasting a ball in anger - to go with his time violation warning. BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter said: "Again, the anger shows which you understand. "That racquet has seen better days. He's done a bit of damage and maybe damage to his hand. "Adel Nour had no option at all. Yes, you understand it, this is a big, big event for Draper." After digging a fresh racquet out of his bag, the former US Open semi-finalist could not get the all-important immediate break back as Lehecka served out the win and book his place in the final. But tennis fans on social media were disappointed with Draper's furious outburst. Tennis stars' new careers PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring. But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best… I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend I'm last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I'm singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts I'm former world No1 but quit aged 29 - instead I went on to play professional poker and golf I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist One said: "Striking the hard-to-maintain grass court in front of your home fans and your knee like a psycho after losing a point, you will never make me like Jack Draper." Another wrote: "Some weak umpiring meant Draper didn't get a warning when he fired a ball earlier. Furious at getting broken at 5-5 in the third he goes after the ad board signage and… breaks it." A third added: "Lehecka breaks and Draper smashes the billboard… hefty fine coming for the Brit." A fourth commented: "Kids will be watching and follow his abysmal behaviour, just like McIlroy launching his golf clubs through the air. There is absolutely no excuse." And a final user wrote: "Pathetic from Draper. Misses a shot and smashes his racquet into the advertising board. Can't stand that sort of behaviour." It is not the first time Draper has destroyed a racquet in recent times. Draper obliterated his frame in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Canada in November and did the same at the Italian Open in Rome last month. But he will be hoping he can channel his concentration into a deep run at Wimbledon, which gets underway next Monday. 9 Draper was broken at 5-5 in the third set Credit: BBC Sport 9 His frustration boiled over as he crashed out in the semis Credit: BBC Sport 9 Draper tossed away the mangled frame a the changeover Credit: Getty 9 Blood was spotted on his knee following the racquet smash Credit: BBC Sport
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
JACK DRAPER broke the electronic advertising hoardings as he smashed his racquet... and crashed out of Queen's. The British No1 was desperate to book his place in the final in West London. 9 9 9 9 9 But he came up just short against Czech ace Jiri Lehecka, losing an agonising semi-final 6-4 4-6 7-5. And Draper's temper boiled over when he lost his serve at a crucial time late in the deciding set. The world No6 - who will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon - was beaten by a stunning clean backhand winner from his opponent to seal the break. And as Draper ran across the back of the Andy Murray Arena court, he let his frustration out. Careful not to damage the manicured lawn, the Sutton star whacked his Dunlop racquet into the electronic board at the side of the court. But as he did so, the screen - ironically showing a red-and-white advert for his own sponsors Dunlop - crackled and then cut out. The top part of the hoarding also came away. But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen. Because Draper also cracked right through his frame to break his racquet, sending his shock absorber flying. And it appeared he may have hurt himself too as he checked his hand and hobbled gingerly to his chair for the changeover with blood on his knee. Draper was given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Adel Nour - having earlier escaped punishment for blasting a ball in anger - to go with his time violation warning. BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter said: "Again, the anger shows which you understand. "That racquet has seen better days. He's done a bit of damage and maybe damage to his hand. "Adel Nour had no option at all. Yes, you understand it, this is a big, big event for Draper." After digging a fresh racquet out of his bag, the former US Open semi-finalist could not get the all-important immediate break back as Lehecka served out the win and book his place in the final. But tennis fans on social media were disappointed with Draper's furious outburst. One said: "Striking the hard-to-maintain grass court in front of your home fans and your knee like a psycho after losing a point, you will never make me like Jack Draper." Another wrote: "Some weak umpiring meant Draper didn't get a warning when he fired a ball earlier. Furious at getting broken at 5-5 in the third he goes after the ad board signage and… breaks it." A third added: "Lehecka breaks and Draper smashes the billboard… hefty fine coming for the Brit." A fourth commented: "Kids will be watching and follow his abysmal behaviour, just like McIlroy launching his golf clubs through the air. There is absolutely no excuse." And a final user wrote: "Pathetic from Draper. Misses a shot and smashes his racquet into the advertising board. Can't stand that sort of behaviour." It is not the first time Draper has destroyed a racquet in recent times. Draper obliterated his frame in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Canada in November and did the same at the Italian Open in Rome last month. But he will be hoping he can channel his concentration into a deep run at Wimbledon, which gets underway next Monday. 9 9 9 Wimbledon ditching line judges a double fault for British tennis By Joshua Jones THE absence of line judges at Wimbledon will be a sad sight. For as long as I can remember, the men and women decked out in their Ralph Lauren outfits have been part of the furniture at the All England Club. Yes, they provided some mild entertainment on the court when one would call "fault" with plenty of extra, and unnecessary, gusto and volume that boomed around Centre Court, prompting a snigger from the fans. Then there was the ongoing game of dodgeball they had to play when a big serve nailed a mammoth ace down the line and they had to take rapid evasive action or take a whack to the top of the head. And challenges provided some audience participation, excitedly joining in the clapping countdown before the inevitable "oooh" when the graphic showed just how close the ball was to landing in or out. Purely objectively, Wimbledon's decision to replace line judges with Hawk-Eye Live makes total sense. The accuracy and consistency of calls in real-time will speed things up, save time and should mark the end of arguments over the tight incorrect calls - well, until the technology malfunctions. And Wimbledon's hand was somewhat forced to ditch tradition for their standing in tennis. The Australian Open and US Open already use electronic line calling and the ATP Tour is adopting Hawk-Eye Live across all of its tournaments from 2025. Wimbledon's refusal to comply would leave them lagging behind and exposed to the threat of needless controversy over human error. But the impact - as is so often the case in these decisions - has ramifications further down, below the surface with very little impact on Wimbledon's Championships or the players. It is on the line judges themselves. Approximately 300 officials - aged from 18 to 80 - covered more than 650 matches at Wimbledon. A fraction travel internationally with the circuit but the vast majority of those are part-time line judges based in the UK, earning up to £180 per day to work at the prestigious tournament and their chance to play their part at Wimbledon. For many, they will help out at British tournaments throughout the year, spurred on by the possibility of taking to the lawns of the All England Club. But it is understood many of those officials would be reluctant to work at the lower-level tournaments without the carrot of Wimbledon dangling in the summer. That in turn will put a major stumbling block in the pathway for British tennis umpires, who grind up through the ranks to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Like football with referees, tennis needs umpires and line judges. So the inability to call "out" at Wimbledon could prove to be a major "fault" for the future of the UK's tennis officials and therefore the state of the sport on these shores.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jack Draper crashes out at Queen's as British No 1 angrily breaks advertising board during defeat by Jiri Lehecka
Jack Draper has been broiling with frustration over his form all week and in the semi-finals he finally bubbled over, destroying an advertising board with a furious hack of his racket. Draper had survived two three-set matches at the Queen's Club's HSBC Championships but not a third, going down 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 to Czech Jiri Lehecka. The British No 1's ability is such that he can make a semi-final without playing his best tennis and that has certainly been the case here. As he failed to break from 0-40 early in the second set he blasted a loose ball into the stands - ridiculously receiving no ball abuse warning from umpire Adel Nour. He punctuated that with a yell of 'f*** off' – whether to himself, his coaching box or just the world in general, it is difficult to divine. After a missed first serve in the next game Draper sarcastically said: 'Yep, yep, yep' - he was absolutely fuming. His serve was excellent for most of the match – it has kept him in the draw this week - but dipped at the end as Lehecka seemed to get a read on it. Serving at 5-5, Draper was given a warning for slow play and then when the break was conceded he lost it, attacking the advertising board with an uncharacteristically violent display of temper. Ironically, the board at the time was displaying Dunlop, the make of the racket with which Draper destroyed it. This always looked a hazardous match against Lehecka, one Draper could easily have lost. The world No 30 is a pure ball-striker with a venomous serve - very similar in style to his countryman Tomas Berdych, who retired in 2019. Berdych's best run at a major came at Wimbledon in 2010 - he lost in the final to Rafael Nadal - and grass should be a productive surface for Lehecka, too, as his career develops. He had not dropped a set this week coming in, thrashing No5 seed Alex de Minaur in the first round and taking out British No2 Jacob Fearnley in the quarters. Draper, meanwhile, was run awfully close in his previous two matches by Alexei Popyrin and Brandon Nakashima. He made a terrible start here, two errors and a double fault conceding an early break - not ideal against a man who can reach 140mph on serve. Draper's first real opening on the Lehecka serve came at 4-3, 15-30 and the response was a brace of aces to the tune of 137 and 139mph. Serving at 5-4 Lehecka again sent down consecutive aces, completing a near-perfect opening set. So far this week Draper has always played just well enough to come through without ever finding fluency on the grass, after two months on clay. Lehecka played the previous week on the lawns of Stuttgart and it was noticeable how much lower his centre of gravity was than Draper's, as he skated along the baseline with knees bent low. In the first set Draper was standing back and trying to swing through the returns - as he was on the clay - but as the match went on he switched tack and began blocking or chipping the return, taking the pace off Lehecka's serve. This allowed him to gain a foothold in the match and he had 0-40 on the Lehecka serve early in the second set. But the game got away from him and after one missed return he blasted the loose ball into the stands - ridiculously receiving no ball abuse warning from umpire Adel Nour. After a missed first serve in the next game Draper sarcastically said: 'Yep, yep, yep' - he was absolutely fuming, but he was also playing his best tennis of the week. When Lechecka served at 4-5 Draper went to the block return and just stuck four balls back in the court. On set point he nudged a backhand pass on to the back half of the baseline. The crowd did not know whether it was in or out - a Draper fist raised to the baking skies was their answer. They flew through service games in the deciding set until, at 4-4, he saved his first break point since the fifth game of the second set, chiselling out a hold despite only making a couple of first serves. Trouble again at 5-5, and this time Draper's resilience – and his patience – ran out.
