Dunlop secured an emphatic maiden TT success at just 20 years of age in the second Supersport race of 2009 in which he led from start to finish to win at an average race speed of 121.416mph in mixed circuit conditions.

Riding a Yamaha, he beat New Zealander Bruce Anstey by 31 seconds, with Manxman Conor Cummins third.

Dunlop set the fastest lap of the race on his final circuit at 125.07mph and became the first member of the Dunlop family to win a TT race since his late uncle Joey completed a hat-trick in 2000.

The last of Michael’s dad Robert’s five wins came in 1998. He lost his life after an incident at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland in 2008.

“My dad gave me the knowledge. I went as quickly as I dared in the damp conditions. I had to go for it,” said Michael, who revealed that he was riding his spare bike and had considered quitting the meeting after failing to finish his first three races.