Emotional win for Dunlop; Plater treble

Michael Dunlop won an emotional opening race in Saturday’s NorthWest 200.

Less than 48 hours after the death of his father, Robert, he won the 250cc race to universal acclaim.

There were extraordinary scenes on the course as Michael triumphed in a race officials had tried to stop him from entering.

Christian Elkin was second with John McGuinness in third.

The top local was Castletown’s Chris Palmer in 11th with Jeff Ward 34th.

In the first Superbike race of the day, there was a popular win for Michael Rutter on the NorthWest 200 sponsored Ducati.

Guy Martin - who led much of the way - finished second ahead of McGuinness.

The top local was Dave Madsen-Mygdal in 37th with Paul Duckett in 42nd.

Steve Plater (pictured) took his first win of the day in the Supersport event ahead of Alistair Seeley and Welshman Ian Lougher.

Connor Cummins was the top Island finisher in 10th, with Palmer 22nd, John Barton 37th, Simon Fulton 45th and Peter Hounsell 68th.

Michael Wilcock triumphed ahead of Palmer in the 125cc race with James Ford in third.

Palmer had the consolation of recording the fastest lap in 101.92mph.

In the combined 400cc race, Oliver Linsdall came out on top ahead of Paul Dobbs and Les Shand.

Barton was the top local in an impressive fifth with Madsen-Mygdal in a fine seventh place.

Alastair Seeley was another popular winner in the Superstock race – a victory he dedicated to the late Martin Finnegan.

Bruce Anstey was second and Cameron Donald third.

Fourth placed Martin set a new lap record of 121.94mph and Cummins was the top local in eighth with Palmer 16th and Duckett 43rd.

Plater earned his second victory of the day in the second Superbike race ahead of Donald and Rutter.

Madsen-Mygdal in 36th and Duckett in 39th were the top locals.

And Plater completed a hat-trick in the final event of the day – the 600cc Supersport – with victory from Seeley and Lougher.

Hounsell was the top local in 31st with Fulton 42nd.