Smith's BMW rider Peter Hickman has admitted his 2019 S1000RR is lacking a bit of top end compared to the Silicone Racing ZX-10RR despite shattering the Ulster GP lap record last night.

Hickman returned the title of Fastest Road Race in the World to Dundrod when he lapped at 136.415mph in the opening Superbike race on what is effectively a road-spec motor.

“To be honest, I was struggling to pass Dean in the early stages of the Superbike race as he was really fast in a straight line and we’re down a bit on top speed," said Hickman.

"I was trying to work out where I could make a clean pass on him but I got a good run out of the last corner and used the slipstream perfectly along the Flying Kilo so I knew if I could get to Deer’s Leap in front, I’d have a good chance of getting away.

Once I got the clear track, I could ride my own lines and I hit all my markers and although we don’t have the fastest bike out there, we do have a very good package. It’s great to get the win and get the outright lap record back for myself, the team and BMW."

Team co-ordinator Darren Jones confirmed the lack of engine tune, saying: "We’re down on top speed and are running a bog-standard road engine so it’s testament to how well Pete’s riding, what a great job the team are doing and, of course, how good the Smiths BMW S1000RR is.

"After three pole positions and lapping inside the outright lap record, we felt confident coming into the races, but Peter never ceases to amaze us, and he really turns it on when he needs to.

"He got his head down on the third lap and we could see from the sector times he was putting together a pretty special lap so to post the first ever 136mph+ lap of Dundrod was something else and it was a superb race win."