Davey Todd, celebrates winning the opening Superstock race at TT 2024 after clinching his first TT victory on the Milwaukee BMW
Davey Todd, celebrates winning the opening Superstock race at TT 2024 after clinching his first TT victory on the Milwaukee BMW
Davey Todd was in TT dreamland yesterday after fending off Superstock king Peter Hickman to claim his first Isle of Man victory in a thrilling race.
The 28-year-old was determined to go one better following his runner-up finishes in the opening Supersport and Superbike events and Todd delivered on the Milwaukee BMW.
Northern Ireland’s Michael Dunlop – on a high after breaking his uncle Joey’s TT record with a 27thwin in Wednesday’s Supertwin race – had to settle for third on his MD Racing Honda
Todd led all the way in the three-lap race, although at times there was nothing between the Saltburn man and Hickman (FHO Racing BMW), who slashed the gap to half-a-second at Ballaugh Bridge on the last lap.
Todd, though, was strong over the Mountain and pulled a slight advantage again to win in the end by just 2.2s after 113 miles of racing.
Afterwards, the British championship star said he was ‘over the moon’ as Todd halted Hickman’s run of five successive Superstock wins at the TT.
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“This is a dream,” said Todd. “It feels unreal and after I crossed the finish line I knew it was close because I caught a few of the guys on the last lap and I think it was ‘+1’ at that stage, so I didn’t think I’d be able to keep it with that bit of traffic.
“I thought it was over but I’ve got to give it up to the whole Milwaukee BMW team, these guys had the belief in me and I’ve got an incredible bike underneath me, and I honestly can’t find the words right now.
“I knew it was close and I was riding well within myself and just tried to get my head down on that last lap and put some good sectors together.
“I can’t say any more, I’m over the moon,” he added.
“The Superstock bike’s incredible and my Superbike is actually based on the Superstock bike as well. I love the BMW M1000RR and the Superstock bike’s fantastic, and I feel right at home on it.
“I love riding it and every time I get on it, whether it’s at BSB, North West 200 or here, things go well.
“I was looking forward to the Superstock race and we don’t have to wait long for race two, do we?”
Davey Todd, Milwaukee BMW, on his way to victory
Davey Todd, Milwaukee BMW, on his way to victory
Todd delivered a first win at the TT for Ulster’s TAS Racing team since Dunlop won the Superbike race in 2018.
Runner-up Hickman was gracious in defeat as he admitted he ‘didn’t have enough’ for his younger rival.
“Obviously it was really, really tight but we didn’t quite have enough today and at the end of the day that’s the way it is,” Hickman said.
“We tried really hard, the bike was working pretty good and I was trying really hard out there as well but at the end of the day we just didn’t quite have enough for Davey.
“We’ve been strong in different sectors and obviously Davey rides that bike week in, week out so he’s super comfortable on it, as I am on mine but I don’t ride it that often.
“Congratulations to Davey, first TT win. I know exactly what that feels like and it’s an absolutely unbelievable feeling.
“He’s been fast all week and he was due a win wasn’t he, let’s face it, and it’s great to see but just a shame for us because obviously we’re second, but we’ll come out fighting again on Friday,” he added.
“We lost a little bit in the pits as well which was probably my fault more than the team’s because I rushed into the box a little bit too much and my arm was in the way and we couldn’t get the fuel in and stuff, but that’s the way it goes.”
Dean Harrison finished fourth behind Dunlop for Honda Racing UK with James Hillier and Jamie Coward finalising the top six.
Meanwhile, Conor Cummins has withdrawn from the remainder of the TT.
The Manx rider issued a short statement last night but did not elaborate on his decision, which leaves Ian Hutchinson as the sole rider in the Padgett’s Honda team.
“I have withdrawn from the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races with immediate effect, and will provide an update on my plans for the remainder of the season in the coming weeks,” said Cummins, who finished eighth in the Superstock race yesterday.
“I’d like to thank all my sponsors and family for their continued support and wish my fellow competitors the best for the remainder of the TT.”