Michael Dunlop vows to return 'fitter and faster than ever'

Michael Dunlop has pledged to return ‘fitter and faster than ever’ as the Ulster road racing star continues his preparations for the new season.
By Kyle White
Published 3rd Mar 2019, 20:45 BST
Updated 3rd Mar 2019, 21:50 BST
Michael Dunlop on the Tyco BMW Superbike during qualifying at the Isle of Man TT in 2018.Michael Dunlop on the Tyco BMW Superbike during qualifying at the Isle of Man TT in 2018.
Michael Dunlop on the Tyco BMW Superbike during qualifying at the Isle of Man TT in 2018.

Dunlop will again ride for Northern Ireland’s Tyco BMW team in the Superbike class on the new S1000RR machine and is running his own Superstock and Supersport machines under his MD Racing banner.

His future had been in doubt after the tragic events of 2018 but the Ballymoney rider says racing is simply in the blood for the Dunlop family after confirming recently that he would keep racing this year.

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“We’ve had our fair share at this game and the Dunlop name has always been big into motorbikes,” said Dunlop, who attended the Coleraine and Dublin launches of the 90h anniversary North West 200 on Thursday and Friday.

Ballymoney man Michael Dunlop with Tyco BMW team owners Philip and Hector Neill after he won the Superbike TT in 2018.Ballymoney man Michael Dunlop with Tyco BMW team owners Philip and Hector Neill after he won the Superbike TT in 2018.
Ballymoney man Michael Dunlop with Tyco BMW team owners Philip and Hector Neill after he won the Superbike TT in 2018.

“I can’t get away from it and it’s been good on one hand and bad on the other, but we’ve always been road racers and I’ve come back now; I want to be faster and fitter than I ever was. I may be a big fish in a small pond but we will give it a run.”

Dunlop upped his haul of Isle of Man TT wins to 18 last year, making him the third most successful rider ever at the event.

He is set to commence testing in Spain this week and hopes to ride the all-new BMW S1000RR Superbike soon.