TT 2022: Harrison ‘splashes’ his way to second with fuel cap issue

Dean Harrison took his second successive second place at the Isle of Man TT on Monday morning, the DAO Racing Kawasaki rider finishing a close runner-up to Michael Dunlop in the opening Supersport race.

The Bradford man was 3.2s adrift of his Yamaha rival at the end of the opening lap and despite encountering an issue with his fuel cap, he reduced that by two seconds as the duo started their third and final lap. That gap came down even further as they made their last circuit around the 37.73-mile course – being just a tenth of a second at one stage – but although Harrison lapped at 128.927mph, just outside his personal best in the class, Dunlop’s new lap record of 129.475mph meant Harrison had to settle for second place once more, 5.6s adrift of the Ulsterman - not bad as he switched to Metzeler tyres just before the race. “Honestly, the bike never missed a beat and the only issue I had was a problem with the fuel cap,” the 33-year old said. “Every time I hit the brakes, fuel kept splashing up – I was riding round high! I know how strong the R6 and Michael are though so to get second and get so close to him is pretty good.” “He was quicker than me from Ballaugh to Ramsey but he’s stronger than me and has more meat on him! I thought Lee (Johnston) would be closer as he’s been strong all year in the British Championship and I was expecting him to show his nose but, obviously, I didn’t realise he’d had a problem at the pits. It’s a real shame he wasn’t with me on the podium.

“It’s been a mentally and physically challenging week so far so two podiums from the first two races lifts the team up.”