Stephen Davison
@sdbikephoto
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Photographer, journalist and author. [email protected]
Joined November 2012
William Dunlop had 119 Irish road race wins.Only Ryan Farquhar,his uncle Joey and father Robert won more.His first at Athea, the last at Cookstown. But the nicest thing about William was the way he always looked down and started to kick the stones when you paid him a compliment.
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A Macau GP postscript. I photographed @PaulJordan61 during the final qualifying session at Melco. When I got back to the pits he showed me his helmet where he had hit his head against a wall at the next very fast corner. I went back for a look and there it was, Paul’s paint!
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24 years ago Joey Dunlop won three races at TT2000 to take his TT victory tally to 26. Today his nephew, Michael equalled that record, doffing his hat to the heavens in memory and respect of those great Dunlop road racers who have gone before him.
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Whatever he’s watching on that phone must be exciting……
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10 years ago Michael Dunlop won the 250cc race at the 2008 NW200, less than 2 days after seeing his father Robert lose his life during practice for the same race. After the terrible tragedy,the 18 year old's victory was, for me,the greatest motorsport performance ever.
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You know that thing people talk about in this sport-racing out of the back of a van,doing your own spannering,riding everywhere and scraping together the money to keep going any which way you can because that's just what you love doing. Fabrice Miguet was the pure epitome of it.
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The Chinese marshals were baffled- Why they all wave at you like this?.They are my friends I tried to reassure! @Lee_johnston13
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In what has already been a tragic week, nothing could be sadder than today’s news. My deepest condolences to Davy’s family and friends.
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Hard to believe the fresh faced kid who stood beside his idol on the F1 TT podium 22 years ago will be starting his 100th TT race in this year’s Superbike race. What a journey it has been.
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Michael Dunlop’s 2008 NW200 victory,2 days after his father Robert lost his life during practice for the same race,is one of the greatest achievements in motor sport. ‘Road’ brings the story to a wider audience and shows why it was such an incredible day.
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A 5th World Superbike title has been an incredible and unprecedented achievement for @jonathanrea Wonderful to see Linda Dunlop, the wife of another 5 time N Ireland world champion,Joey Dunlop,there to congratulate Jonathan at his homecoming today. History made and respected.
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Road racing is life they say. Mark Purslow gave it everything and it took everything away. Heartfelt condolences to those who are feeling that loss so deeply this sad morning.
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At the exit of Melco @jm130tt was really on it in final Macau GP qualifying, but the Chinese marshal wasn't that bothered. He's obviously a @michaelrutter_ fan!!! #headturners #alwaysonthebloodyphone
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Joey Thompson and Andy Farrell saving rubber at Armoy today!
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A tribute to the Armoy Armada taken at the Dark Hedges a few years ago.Paul Robinson re his Dad, Mervyn,Jim Dunlop,William Dunlop re his uncle Joey and Bill Kennedy re his brother Frank.All the bikes were originally ridden by the Armada members.Plenty of Castrol R in the air!
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“My Dad showed me how to do it.The first place we marked was at Ballaspur. It was always at a real fast place.Sometimes they are braking markers,sometimes where you tip in on a blind corner.And sometimes they’re where I can just throw her on her side and wind it on.”M Dunlop
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Archie and I plan our day ahead, with Archie making his wishes very clear……
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We hold our loved ones that little bit closer as we return home from the dangers of the TT because we know someone, somewhere, will not be able to do so. Thinking of Raul Torras Martinez and his family.Raul never walked past without a nod or a smile.
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One of them is like a kid at Xmas with his new Mountain course licence and the other is just as daft as ever!.Absolutely brilliant to see both these guys looking fit and well at Classic TT.
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William Dunlop. Tidy on a two stroke. He told me once he just couldn’t bring himself to give them up, even when he was racing for the Milwaukees and Tycos. Young head, old school.
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If ever there was a time when we need to hold on tight….
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‘Right lad, listen up, now you’ve quit the Grand Prix gig would you be up for a run around the TT? McGuinness is pushing on a bit now so we might be able to nick a podium and pick up a few quid. Keep the oul wolf from the door.’
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A sportsman at the peak of his powers, revelling in a golden era.
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This was the next lap. Martin is looking over at the camera. A few minutes later my phone rang- 'Did you get it?' he wanted to know. The next morning the picture was in the paper and the big man was smiling from ear to ear. We lost someone very special that day.
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It is almost impossible to believe that 15 summers have passed since this incredible day in 2008 at the NW200. 18 year old Michael Dunlop’s victory in the 250cc race,less than two days after his father’s death during practice,is one of the greatest moments in motorsport history.
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. but then again there are absolutely incredible parade laps.After crashing at 170mph in the 2015 Senior and fighting his way back from terrible injuries that included having a cage on his leg for 4 years, Jamie Hamilton rode the Mountain course again at the Classic TT.
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A busted pelvis, cracked hip joint and broken ribs might have put Michael Dunlop on crutches but didn’t stop him going out to race at Armoy today.
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20 years ago this man won the TT race of his life,against opposition that seemed almost unbeatable. In 2020 @jm130tt will be the same age as Joey Dunlop was that day,his rivals equally brilliant. Could John McGuinness follow in his hero’s wheel tracks,could history be repeated?
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Driving in the lane,home from the TT. Finding comfort amongst the familiar. For Dan,Adam,Steve and their families the road being travelled from this year's TT is a very different one.I hope there is some comfort in knowing you are being thought of by everyone in their sport.
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As a new road racing season beckons,here’s hoping we get to see this man in action in 2019. A true maverick,Bruce Anstey breaks all the rules about how racing should be done. Even battling serious illness he is as cheery as ever. And he still wants to win at 50!
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Most of us think of America as the home of road trips, with cool fuel stations along the way. But Ireland is full of old style stations that are steadily disappearing. I’ve been capturing some of them before they go-about 500 and counting! @b_fitzsimons
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Macau over,another season done and dusted of riding the line.We lost too many good men this year. That noone ever forgets may be little consolation but to paraphrase a man who said it better-'They rode on air, against their better judgement.'
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This is one of those photographs that makes you want to make motorbike noises when you look at it!
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At 48, some said he was too old. Too grey in the hair.
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Back in 2013 @M_Dunlop3 predicted he would lap the TT at 130mph on a 600. Today he did it, lapping at 130.403mph on his way to winning his 25th TT.
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Road racing portraits No.3. Rebecca McGuinness, wife of John, makes final touches to her make-up in the hall of the couple’s Morecambe home on their wedding day. The bike and photograph beneath the stairs celebrate John setting the first 130mph lap of the TT’s Mountain course.
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Boarding the ferry tonight, swapping the TT for Irish roads. And thinking of those who will not be returning home. Perhaps there can be some small comfort in knowing that loss is shared.
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Congratulations to @jonathanrea , five times world Superbike champion. The greatest sporting achievement by any Northen Ireland sportsperson.
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Using ‘all the track’ is a bit different in road racing.
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Taken at the 33rd Milestone on a fine Spring day in 2009, the 13 men in this photograph have now won 97 TTs, 64 Ulster GPs, 57 NW200s and 12 Macau GPs between them. Will there be even more to come from those still racing?
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This lady can’t step outside her front door during the TT without seeing folk flying by on 2 and 3 wheels.
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A man who has fought for his life in the past year, won on the Mountain course yesterday. Another, who had everything to live for, lost his life. Inseparable joy and pain. My thoughts are with Chris Swallow’s family and friends.
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While we are on the subject of Macau-it’s old but still gold after 18 years!Complete beginner’s luck catching this on my first trip.I was so hungover that morning,not long out of the Irish bar!Sadly you aren’t allowed to photograph at this spot nowadays. @Plater22
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He’s been quickest all week so it’s no surprise that @peterhickman60 is on pole for tomorrow’s @MacauGPbikes race.
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So sad to hear of May Dunlop’s passing. A lovely lady who, with her husband, Willie, gave us the world’s greatest road racing family.
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I rang the army and asked if I could borrow one of their helicopters and an airfield.I couldn’t believe it when the man on the other end of the phone said Yes. I think he might have been a road racing fan….
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It hasn’t always gone exactly to plan with this photography lark. @M_Dunlop3 bike dropped on first shoot.Then got stuck on a another at Castlerock beach.20 mins later Michael came bouncing to the rescue on a tractor he’d hijacked.Just as waves began lapping around my wheels!
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Its always great to head to the TT and a relief to get home after 2 long weeks.This year was tough on everyone but thats insignificant compared to what a family faces now Daley hasn’t made it back.Hopefully there’s some ease for you in knowing he was happy and smiling that day.
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3.I asked the marshal to duck down when Joey was coming and he kindly obliged,giving me a thumbs up first to signal Joey was in sight.After he had flown past I ran across the fields to my car and raced to the grandstand for the best Joey podium celebration I ever photographed!
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Mike Browne’s great escape at Gillies Leap during #Skerries100 practice today. I don’t know what it did to Mike but it scared the bejaysus out of me!
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An Irish road racing grandstand at Armoy. (Best wishes Joe.)
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With the sun on his back,Darren was in his element at Walderstown. As immaculate and totally committed as ever, before everything changed in an instant. My deepest condolences to those who love him most.
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Saw this on here. I asked the army if they would lend me a helicopter to do some pictures.They said yes and sent their best 2 pilots to race Martin Finnegan and Ryan Farquhar. What a day,sitting on the ground with bikes going by either side and the chopper skimming our heads!
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Dan Hegarty was in his element in Macau.We are all sad and sore now at his passing.Deepest condolences to those he loved and lived for.
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And how good was it to see Davey Todd win his first TT with this man today?.Davey added his name to a long list of TT winners inspired by Hector Neill incl Norman Brown, Adrian Archibald,David Jefferies,Ian Lougher, Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald,Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop.
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One more road racing picture that also features a filling station. I think Gus would enjoy the tangled web of my oddball interests.
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Road racing at its best- 160mph,crossed up, hanging off,heading for the chequered flag. Michael Dunlop, Armoy 2016
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Found a couple of young chaps in Milwaukee team gear with an older fella in leathers sitting in the TT start line bus shelter this eve……
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Look closely. I used to joke with Martin that this picture proved road racers had a screw loose! Pilot.
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Wonderful to hold this wee woman for the first time yesterday, my beautiful new granddaughter, Pippa.
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Another great motorbike racing man gone. RIP Paul Bird.
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Each year I’d see Davy in the line as TT practice began.We always shook hands and joked -‘Another year older but here we go again!’ Respected and familiar to everyone,there were many more greetings and handshakes as he shuffled towards the start line to do what he loved.
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Joey had crashed at Tandragee just before TT1998. His injuries included losing a finger. I didn’t get back for the podium after his 250cc win but he gave me this pic with his daughter Joanne. Her hair was soaked in the rain!
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Macau 2017 may have been the race of his life but @GIrwinRacing was distraught after passing the scene of Dan Hegarty's crash.
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Two hot days at the Enniskillen 100 and 5 wins for Derek McGee. No red flags and everybody went home sunburnt so plenty to be happy and proud of for the Club in their maiden event.
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1.I always drive the TT course against the race direction-dodgy then on open roads!-so I can look at backgrounds for pictures.That’s how I found the sign outside Ballaugh.I thought it fitted perfectly with all the talk going on that year about Joey’s age.
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