Hickman, who was injured in a crash at last year’s Isle of Man TT, said that Harrison was “riding the crest of a wave”.
“It’s fantastic to be back on the podium. Well done to Dean, he has done a fantastic job all week,” Hickman said.
“I’m just happy to be here. It has been a long way to get here. I’m not quite feeling me yet, but I’m starting to get there.
“I’m so thankful to everyone for their support, they have been fantastic.”
After he opted to ride his Honda Superbike in a last-minute change after issues with the Ducati he had planned to run, Dunlop said he was struggling and did not expect to be on “podium pace”.
“It’s been really tough with the big bikes this week. We know what the problem is, but there’s not much we can do to solve it,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be hard work. You need to bring your ‘A game’ to beat Dean on the big bike at the minute and he has played it smart.
“We left it too late to be here and it’s my own fault.”
The next races are set to take place on Tuesday when the Supersport and Sportbike TTs are scheduled – both of which Dunlop will be favourite for – but showers forecast over the next seven days could have an impact on race week.
The two sidecar races have been cancelled on safety grounds after a review of a crash during qualifying that left reigning sidecar champions Ryan and Callum Crowe in hospital on Wednesday.
In a qualifying week that had been overshadowed by accidents, Maria Costello and passenger Shaun Parker were also injured in a sidecar crash on Tuesday.
On Monday, eight spectators and a rider were injured when a solo bike crashed into the crowd in untimed practice, and English rider Daniel Ingham died in a crash in qualifying on Wednesday at Doran’s Bend.
Listen to the BBC Bikes podcast, with analysis from Philip McCallen and rider interviews, on BBC Sounds.
