O'Grady Takes Dunlop Masters Title In Final Race Thriller

Thomas O'Grady celebrates clinching the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after victory in the final race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The 2022 Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship came to its conclusion on the 25^th of September and for Thomas O’Grady from Lusk, Co. Dublin, it has been one hell of a year. Returning on his Clear Energy backed Yamaha R1 he was certainly one to be counted as a contender for the title this year after his performances and podiums last season. The Martin Gallagher built Yamaha came armed with upgraded brakes, suspension and kit electronics he knew he had the tools to get the maiden win he was so close to getting several times last season.

Above top, Thomas O'Grady with sponsor Peter McMahon, Clear Energy, ahead of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship. Wooden Bridge, Clontarf, Dublin. Photo: Barry Cregg.

The opening event brought home good points with three fourth place finishes, not exactly the start he wanted but after looking at the data logger he found the information he needed to improve a to get nearer the podium. Helped by Steve Hardnett on suspension setup it sparked a run of form that saw him on the podium at every race after that. By the July event and while like waiting for a bus two came along at once, as not only did Thomas take his maiden win, but he also made it a double and a third place to move into the lead of the series. He followed this up with another win a second and a third in the next meeting although a chance to lift the Leinster 200 trophy would have to wait another year.

Unlike the previous two seasons the pure road racing calendar was back to full swing again since the Covid-19 pandemic. This would mean the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship would lose top riders such as Derek Sheils and Michael Sweeney from its grid at rounds that were close to big events like the Isle of Man TT and national road races. It is a shame that it happens, but as ever-increasing costs mount up over the year it is too hard to fit in every event unless the budget is there to do it. 

Derek Sheils, BMWM1000RR, leads Richie Ryan, Yamaha R1, on his way to victory in the opening round of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It was at this time of the season however the new rules for the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship would come into play and caused confusion amongst riders and that would affect O’Grady’s understanding of where he was in the series points table. Riders were for this year allowed to drop their two worst points scoring events. The new rules were put in to make the last two events or six races (three races per event) a shootout for the overall prize of becoming the 2022 champion. It did make it close and a real battle with Alan Kenny, Derek Sheils and Emmet O’Grady along with Thomas all going into the final two events in with a chance to win the title.

Derek Sheils missed the second event in May as it was too close to the start of the Isle of Man TT, so he dropped that round which caused the confusion on how the new system worked. O’Grady was of the understanding that he had a 14-point lead over Alan Kenny at the time as he saw how the points should be. He didn’t know at the time Sheils dropped rounds included one where he wasn’t even at! It made him question whether to carry on his efforts in the series. 

Above top, leads the field into turn one during the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Middle, Thomas O'Grady celebrates after taking his maiden victory in the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship. Below, Thomas O'Grady leads Derek Sheils during the Leinster 200 race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co. Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

“We were all told that we were two drop two rounds at the start of the year but the regs say event which is what I was told later in the year. Three quarters of the grid thought the same as me. It was very annoying at the time, and it has hurt me in terms of points a bit more than others. It made Derek look bad when it was nothing to to with him at all. Derek is an idol to me and a phenomenal rider with twenty years of winning championships behind him. He loves a good fight in a race, and he came up to me and shock my hand after the fantastic battle we had in Saturday’s race. I have so much respect for him, and we are two of a kind as in we take it race by race and this championship isn’t the be all and end all for both of us. It just got so messy the way it is was run and I know if I come second or third, I can honestly swallow that pill because I have but in 110% this year and that’s good enough for me as they are all brilliant riders.” After finding out from the organisers that Sheils dropped rounds were allowed in O’Grady now found himself three points behind going into the final event of the year. It raises the question of the absence of a national championship instead of championship both north and south of the border. Where a championship doesn’t suffer if riders who do the roads can’t take in which Thomas eludes too ahead of Sunday’s races. “I would love if there was a national championship but there is a lot of politics involved. I am being starved to being able to put my name to a national title and there must be easily 15-20 top superbike riders in this country along with the cup and support classes which means riders don’t have to go across to England. I am getting a bit of cabin fever racing around Mondello. It’s great to have family and friends come down and the racing has been fantastic this year, but I might change something for next year.”

Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1, leads Brian McCormack, BMWM1000RR, during the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

It made him more determined to try and take the title. Saturday’s opening superbike race of the final weekend saw him take charge early on leading from the start riding hard but fair around the international circuit. He won a very closely fought race so close in fact himself, Sheils and Josh Elliott were lapping 0.1 seconds outside the lap record!

So, with it all to play for and whoever finish ahead of the other between Thomas and Derek they would be crowned champion. Elliott got the best start and took the lead, but Sheils got by on lap two, but Thomas stayed in touch in third. It was edge of your seat stuff and the final lap played out like a movie ending. Thomas past Sheils but ran wide giving the place back and with only the last corner an overtaking option he had no choice but to go for it. He did by squeezing past on the inside which seemed to be covered by Sheils. He held his line and held his lead as they all crossed the line. There has not been a roar from a crowd at a motorcycle race like it in years. Nobody could begrudge Thomas his win and championship. The first to congratulate him was Sheils, his idol in Irish racing. Credit to the top three for such a display all weekend. Fairy tales do come true, and a very emotional Thomas expressed it after the race.

“It was unbelievable I can’t believe it, it’s brilliant and to do that on Derek Sheils and Josh Elliott is amazing. I tried to pass him earlier and did but it didn’t stick so I had to try on the last corner, and it worked. I must thank everyone for helping me out this year, I couldn’t have done it without them. "

Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1, during the final Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady, on the podium after winning the final Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, BMWM1000RR, leads Thomas O'Grady, Yamaha R1,  during the final Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Derek Sheils, left, speaking to Thomas O'Grady, right, on the podium after the final Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady celebrates with his girlfriend Jess after clinching the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after victory in the final race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady celebrates clinching the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after victory in the final race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady, left, speaking to Derek Sheils, right, after the final Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady celebrates with his team after clinching the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after victory in the final race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

If competing in the superbike class wasn’t enough to keep the Dubliner busy on a race weekend, he also competed in the Supertwin support class on his Aprillia RS660. A brace of wins and consistent podium finishes throughout the year gave him a 23-point lead going into the final event ahead of Darragh Crean. He did enough by finishing third and fourth to take the title.

By taking two titles in a year against very accomplished opposition is nothing short of outstanding from man who is from a small town in north county Dublin that revels in the pure road racing and off-road scene. He has done it all in his relaxed way and with a smile on his face and exuberance that is infectious to those around him. It also has endeared him to the spectators looking on at each round this year and becoming a fans favourite. He has come along racing from tearing up the grass in his granny’s back garden on his TM50.

Thomas O'Grady celebrates after clinching the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship after victory in the final race. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.

Thomas O'Grady celebrates after clinching the Supertwins Championship. Mondello Park, Donore, Co.Kildare. Photo: Barry Cregg.