Isle of Man TT: Honda rider Dean Harrison fastest in final qualifying

Honda’s Dean Harrison continued his strong form at the Isle of Man TT by posting the fastest Superbike and Superstock times in the final qualifying session on Friday.

After being the fastest rider for most of the week, Harrison completed the 37.73-mile course with an average speed of 134.877mph in early morning qualifying on his Honda Superbike.

He then went one better in the afternoon session on his Superstock machine as he posted a lap of 135.484mph – the fastest overall speed of the week.

Peter Hickman, Josh Brookes and Northern Ireland’s Michael Dunlop, who is aiming to extend his road race record to 33 wins, were his closest rivals in the Superbike class in the 132mph bracket.

Dunlop finished second behind Harrison in Superstock qualifying at 131.946mph, ahead of Ian Hutchinson, Jamie Coward and Mike Brown, who topped the morning session when most riders focused on their Superbikes.

Given his qualifying pace, Harrison is the one to beat when the first of eight races takes place on Saturday in the three-lap Superstock TT, ahead of the first Superbike race on Sunday.

Dunlop was fastest in both Supersport sessions on his Ducati, ahead of Hickman, Harrison and Josh Brookes, with his afternoon lap of 128.719mph just shy of his fastest time of the week in the class.