Michael Dunlop Returns to the Isle of Man TT After 10 Years

Published by Stree Missile on 28/05/202328/05/2023

Michael Dunlop, the third-winningest rider in the Isle of Man TT, has announced that he will be competing in the 2023 edition with the Hawk Racing team.

Dunlop is a legend of road racing. In 2022, the Northern Irish rider secured his twenty-first victory at the Isle of Man TT, achieving a double win in the Supersport category with his own Honda motorcycle. To date, Dunlop ranks as the third-winningest rider in the history of the race, just five victories away from matching the record set by his uncle, Joey Dunlop.

Initially, the Ulster rider had planned to compete in the premier class of the 2022 TT with a Ducati from the PBM team, but there was a last-minute change of plans. Fortunately, he found refuge in Hawk Racing and managed to secure third place in the Superbike race riding a Suzuki GSXR 1000R.

The relationship between Dunlop and Hawk Racing dates back to 2014 when he achieved victory in the Superbike category with a BMW. He repeated this success in 2016, and in 2017, he emerged victorious in the Senior TT category, this time riding a Suzuki.

Looking ahead to 2023, Dunlop has confirmed that he will continue with the Hawk Racing team, but this time he will be riding a Honda, a brand he hasn't competed with since 2013. This decision comes as a result of Suzuki's withdrawal from the racing world, which forced the team to switch manufacturers for the new season.

"It's good to have my schedule for this year sorted well in advance," Dunlop said. "You just have to look at the other riders to realize how important it is to work with a team you're familiar with, and it's crucial to be up to speed even before arriving at the TT. The pace is so high that you have to be 100% from the get-go."

"Truth be told, the preparations last year didn't go as they should have. Steve and his team came to my rescue at the last minute, but we still managed a good result," he commented. "Before that, in 2019, I was still recovering from a wrist injury, so this year will be the first time in a long time that I'll be able to compete while being fully fit and with a bike I'm familiar with."

"I'm excited, and I believe we can put on a great show," he added.

It is expected that Dunlop will also participate in the Supersport and Superstock categories with his own team, MD Racing.