Michael Dunlop was so captivated by his sidecar debut at Oliver's Mount that he pulled out of one of the superbike races after a single lap, explaining: 'The chairs are more fun.'

Dunlop, who has multiple TT winner Dan Sayle as passenger, got quicker every time he went out on Nick Crowe's LCR Honda, working hard to bring down his lap times, ultimately going sub-two minutes for the tight and demanding 2.43-mile woodland course.

“Despite a lot of slagging before the event from various individuals, Michael was as safe as houses,' said Sayle. "He went onto the grass once at the Monument and he struggled to get the hang of the bumps, but otherwise he was spot on."

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