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Michael Dunlop

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Michael Dunlop
Dunlop at the 2022 Northwest 200
NationalityNorthern Irish
Born (1989-04-10) 10 April 1989 (age 36)
Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Current teamMD Racing
Bike number6
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Isle of Man TT career
TTs contested17 (2007–present)
TT wins30
First TT win2009 Supersport TT Race 2
Last TT win2025 Supersport TT Race 1
TT podiums46
TT Course fastest lap
135.970 mph or 218.823 km/h

Michael Dunlop (born 10 April 1989) is a Northern Irish professional motorcycle racer. Dunlop holds the record for the most wins at the Isle of Man TT having amassed a total of 30 victories, surpassing that of his late uncle Joey.

Michael is the brother of William Dunlop, son of Robert Dunlop and nephew of former World Champion Joey Dunlop.[1]

He is a former solo-machine lap record holder for the Snaefell Mountain Course set during the 2016 Senior TT in a time of 16 minutes 53.929 seconds at an average speed of 133.962 mph (215.591 km/h).[2] Dunlop was the first rider in the history of the Isle of Man TT to achieve a lap of the course in under 17 minutes.[2]

Dunlop leading Guy Martin at the 2012 Isle of Man Southern 100 road races

Dunlop was described in 2015 as having "an aggressive style" which was "spectacular to watch".[3] This pugnacious attitude has led to numerous confrontations with race teams,[4] rival competitors[5] and on occasion, his late brother.[6] In addition he has often refused to acknowledge the names of his fellow competitors.[7]

Early racing

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Dunlop on the Formula 1 Suzuki machine for the Classic TT race at 2013 Manx Grand Prix

He made his TT debut in 2007, where his best finish was 25th in the Superbike TT. He made the decision to ride in the 2008 races at the last minute after the death of his father at the North West 200 earlier in the year. He finished 10th in the Senior TT with a fastest lap of 124.773 mph, making him the fastest Dunlop around the TT Course. Dunlop joined his father and uncle Joey in the record books in 2009 when he won the Supersport TT race on a 600cc Yamaha.[8]

Dunlop has also won at the North West 200, recording his only victory to date at the 250 cc race in 2008. His father was killed during practice for this event.

Dunlop took part in the Classic Superbike race at the Manx GP on Friday 31 August.[9] He took the win in the Classic Superbike race at the Manx Grand Prix 2012. This was his sixth title on the Mountain Course and his third Manx Grand Prix race win following his debut, and victory, in the 2006 Newcomers MGP race.[10] During the two-week 2012 Manx GP Dunlop worked in the pits for a team in the 600 Junior Race.

2015

[edit]

At the start of the 2015 Road Racing season, Dunlop had a poor start with race team Milwaukee Yamaha, and during the practice week of the 2015 Isle of Man TT, he dramatically left Yamaha to rejoin his previous team, BuildBase BMW, in order to give him the best chance of a good result.

2016

[edit]

In February 2016, it was announced that Dunlop would again ride BMW in the Superbike class at International road races during the 2016 racing season, provided by Hawk Racing.[11] The announcement was made at the MCN Motorshow at the Excel, confirming that Dunlop will be riding the 2016 BMW S1000RR.

Isle of Man TT

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Dunlop opened his account at the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races in the Superbike race, which he led from start to finish. Astride a BMW S1000RR, Dunlop bettered the existing absolute course speed record attained during one-lap, also setting a new average speed for the six lap race of 130.306 mph in a race-record time of 1 hour, 44 minutes, 14.259 seconds for the 226 miles of racing.[12] In addition Dunlop also won the prestigious John Williams Trophy.

Dunlop's second race of the week was the Supersport Junior 600 TT, race 1. The opening lap saw him dicing at the head of the field with Ian Hutchinson. By the end of the four-lap race, Dunlop finished in second place behind Hutchinson. Following routine post-race inspection of the machines, Dunlop's bike was deemed to have infringed race regulations with non-standard parts,[13] and he was subsequently disqualified. Dunlop returned to the start line for the second race of 6 June, the Superstock TT on a 1000 cc BMW. However, handling difficulties contributed to him retiring from the race at the end of the opening lap.

In the second of the two Supersport Junior races, Dunlop finished second to Hutchinson. For the last race of Dunlop's schedule on Friday 10 June, he led the six-lap Senior TT from lap one, extending his lead over runner-up Ian Hutchinson, winning with a 31-second margin, raising his own absolute lap record speed previously set on Saturday, 4 June by a small amount, and setting a new race record time.[14]

2017

[edit]

During the 2016/2017 closed season there were various rumours of possible proposals for 2017.[15] After Hawk Racing's switch from BMW to Suzuki for 2017, Dunlop signed for the Bennett's Suzuki Racing Team campaigning the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 as part of a four-man squad. This saw Dunlop concentrate on International road races whilst team mates Sylvain Guintoli and Taylor Mackenzie campaigned in the British Superbikes and Richard Cooper in National Superstock 1000.[16]

After an introduction to the new machine at Mallory Park, Dunlop pre-season tested with teammates at Circuito de Velocidad de Cartagena and Almeria in Spain for five days.[17] This was followed by a further work up at Donington Park on 22 March.[18]

Isle of Man TT

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The qualifying week for the 2017 Isle of Man TT was plagued by poor weather. Following a sporadic week of qualifying the first race day was given over to additional qualifying and practice, which meant the curtain raiser to the meeting, the Superbike TT, was postponed for 24 hours.

Superbike TT

[edit]

Racing got underway on Sunday, 4 June. Dunlop formed up on the grid at the TT Grandstand on board the Bennett's Suzuki in what were ideal conditions. Setting the early pace, Dunlop crossed the line at the head of the field at the end of lap 1, posting a time of 17 minutes 15.79 seconds from a standing start, clocking an average speed of 131.135 mph (211.041 km/h).[19] Going into the second lap with a slender 1.8 second lead over Dean Harrison, Dunlop continued to head the field until he was forced to retire at Handley's Corner.[20]

Supersport (Race 1)

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In the opening Supersport race, Dunlop took his place on the grid astride his familiar MD Racing Yamaha. Dicing for the lead with James Hillier at the end of the opening lap, Dunlop came into the pit stop at the end of lap 2 with a 2.75 second lead. Taking another second from Hillier at the end of lap 3, Dunlop continued to edge ahead on the final lap, coming home with a winning margin of 12.5 seconds.[21]

2018

[edit]

At the end of March, 2018, it was announced in a press release by TAS Racing that Dunlop had been signed by the team to campaign factory BMWs in the premier racing categories of the 2018 racing season.

Cookstown 100

[edit]

After some pre-season testing with the Tyco BMW squad,[22] Dunlop made his way to the curtain raiser to the Irish Road Racing season, the Cookstown 100.[23] Qualifying third fastest in the Superbike category[24] Dunlop opened his 2018 campaign by taking victory aboard his MD Racing Honda in the Supersport Invitation race.[25]

Dunlop's first competitive outing on the S-1000RR saw him competing in the Open A race. Starting in the lead group he crossed the line at the head of the field only to be awarded second place behind Derek Shiels, losing by 5 seconds on corrected time.[23]

A series of crashes plagued the event, resulting in the cancellation of the remainder of the race programme including the highlight of the meeting, the Cookstown 100 Superbike race.[25][26]

Isle of Man TT

[edit]

Superbike TT

[edit]

Dunlop won the opening race of the 2018 Isle of Man TT with a race time of 01:44:13.398 and an average lap speed of 130.324 mph (209.736 km/h).

Supersport (Race 1)

[edit]

Dunlop followed up his Superbike TT win with a win in the Supersport category.

2019

[edit]

In 2019, Dunlop competed at the Isle of Man TT, where he secured his 19th career win in the Lightweight TT aboard a Paton, narrowly beating Jamie Coward by just over a second.[27] He also contested the Superbike, Senior, Superstock, and both Supersport races, finishing within the top six in each, including fourth in both the Senior and Superstock events. In July, Dunlop suffered a broken pelvis, wrist, and ribs in a crash at the Southern 100 but returned to racing just 18 days later at the Armoy Road Races, where he won two events, bringing his total at Armoy to 19.[28]

2021

[edit]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, major road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 were cancelled in 2021. Despite this, Dunlop had a successful season, dominating the Armoy Road Races by winning all five races he entered, including the prestigious Race of Legends, marking his ninth victory in that event and his 22nd overall at Armoy.[29] During the event, he also set a new lap record in the Open Superbike race aboard a BMW S1000RR.[30] Internationally, Dunlop made his debut at the Daytona 200 in the United States, finishing 11th on a Kawasaki ZX6.[31] He also participated as a wildcard entry in the British Superbike Championship with Buildbase Suzuki.[32]

2022

[edit]

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunlop returned to the Isle of Man TT in 2022, winning the opening Supersport race, where he set a new lap record of 129.475 mph while narrowly defeating Dean Harrison,[33] and later claiming victory in the second Supersport race, bringing his career total to 21 TT wins.[34]

2023

[edit]

At the 2023 Isle of Man TT, Dunlop won four races: the Superbike, both Supersport races, and the Supertwin race, bringing his total Isle of Man TT victories to 25.[35][36]

He also won five races at the Armoy Road Races, including both Supersport races, the Supertwin race, the Open Superbike race, and the 'Race of Legends' Superbike finale, marking his tenth win in the latter.[37]

Additionally, Dunlop secured a victory in the Supertwins race at the Cookstown 100, marking a strong return after a five-year break.[38]

Isle of Man TT 2024 & 2025

[edit]

Dunlop’s 2024 TT campaign began with a historic milestone: his 26th TT victory during the first Supersport race on June 1. This victory tied him with his late uncle Joey Dunlop's long-standing record of 26 TT wins. It also marked Dunlop's fifth consecutive Supersport victory and his 40th career podium at the TT.[39]

The Superbike race seemed poised to add another win to Dunlop’s record, as he held a commanding 25-second lead before a helmet visor issue after his pit stop forced him to stop and fix it. Despite losing around 50 seconds, he still managed a fourth-place finish.[40] Dunlop later secured his 27th victory in the opening Supertwin race.[41]

He continued his dominance by winning the second Supersport race, marking his 28th TT win.[42] His 29th victory followed in the second Supertwin race, during which he also set a new Superbike lap record at 135.970 mph. Dunlop’s 2024 performance marked his fourth career “four-timer” at the TT, joining an elite group of riders who have achieved four wins in a single event.[43]

In 2025, Dunlop won the Supersport Race 1, securing his 30th career victory at the TT. He finished over 10 seconds ahead of Dean Harrison, setting a near-lap record speed of 130.313 mph. This extended his record as the most successful rider in the event’s history and marked his first win aboard a Ducati, the manufacturer’s first victory there since 1995.[44][45][46]

North West 200

[edit]

Dunlop made his North West 200 debut in 2007. Although he did not secure a victory that year, his first win came in 2008 when he won the 250cc race just days after the tragic death of his father, Robert Dunlop, during practice for the event.[47] This victory marked the beginning of Dunlop's successful career at the NW200. Over the years, he has achieved multiple victories across various classes, including a Superstock win in 2014 and a first Superbike race victory in 2016, where he set a new lap record of 123.207 mph.[48][49]

After a period without wins at the event, Dunlop returned to form in 2025, securing three victories: the Fraser Homes Supersport race on a Milwaukee V2 Ducati, the Amici Ristorante Superstock race on his MD Racing BMW, and the Superbike race with the MD Hawk Racing BMW. His Superbike victory was initially contested due to an incident at Mather's chicane, but the penalty was later rescinded, confirming his win. These victories brought his total number of wins at the NW200 to eight.[50]

Complete TT record

[edit]
2025 Superbike TT

2

Supersport TT 1

1

2024 Superbike TT

4

Superstock TT 1

3

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

DNF

Supertwin TT 1

1

Supertwin TT 2

1

Superstock TT 2

Cancelled

2023 Superbike TT

1

Superstock TT 1

2

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

3

Lightweight TT 1

1

Lightweight TT 2

DNF

Superstock TT 2

2

2022 Superbike TT

3

Superstock TT

5

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

5

Lightweight TT

DNF

2019 Superbike TT

6

Superstock TT

4

Supersport TT 1

5

Supersport TT 2

6

Senior TT

4

Lightweight TT

1

2018 Superbike TT

1

Superstock TT

2

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

5

Senior TT

4

Lightweight TT

1

2017 Superbike TT

DNF

Superstock TT

6

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

Cancelled

Senior TT

1

Lightweight TT

7

2016 Superbike TT

1

Superstock TT

DNF

Supersport TT 1

DSQ

Supersport TT 2

2

Senior TT

1

2015 Superbike TT

DNF

Superstock TT

2

Supersport TT 1

DNF

Supersport TT 2

DNF

Senior TT

5

Lightweight TT

DNF

2014 Superbike TT

1

Superstock TT 1

1

Supersport TT

3

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

1

Lightweight TT

DNS

2013 Superbike TT

1

Superstock TT

1

Supersport TT 1

1

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

2

2012 Superbike TT

10

Superstock TT

2

Supersport TT 1

DNF

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

Cancelled

Lightweight TT

15

2011 Superbike TT

5

Superstock TT

1

Supersport TT 1

DNF

Supersport TT 2

DNF

Senior TT

6

2010 Superbike TT

2

Superstock TT

8

Supersport TT 1

3

Supersport TT 2

2

Senior TT

DNF

2009 Superbike TT

DNF

Superstock TT

DNF

Supersport TT 1

DNF

Supersport TT 2

1

Senior TT

DNF

Lightweight 250 TT

2

2008 Superbike TT

14

Superstock TT

DNF

Supersport Junior TT 1

10

Supersport Junior TT 2

8

Senior TT

10

Lightweight 250 TT

DNF

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Michael Dunlop: The man who lost a brother, father & uncle to biking, but races on". BBC Sport. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Results" (PDF). www.iomtt.com.
  3. ^ "Michael Dunlop in mood to boost Dundrod tally". Belfasttelegraph – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Michael Dunlop leaves Milwaukee Yamaha to rejoin BMW two days before Isle of Man TT begins". Archived from the original on 12 May 2022.
  5. ^ "TT 2016: Irked Hutchy in spat with Dunlop". 11 June 2016.
  6. ^ "He ain't heavy: We profile Michael and William Dunlop". Belfasttelegraph – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Tension rising at the TT as Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson fire out warnings". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  8. ^ Dunlop clinches first TT triumph BBC Website 2009-06-10 Retrieved 2010-02-02
  9. ^ "RealRoadRacing.Com • View topic - 2012 Manx GP Festival promises Grea…". 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Manx Motor Cycle Club: Organisers of the Manx Grand Prix". Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  11. ^ Michael Dunlop aims for TT joy with BMW Belfast Telegraph, 13 February 2016, Retrieved 13 February 2016
  12. ^ "Results" (PDF). www.iomtt.com.
  13. ^ Senior TT explodes into Dunlop, Hutchy war of words Bike Sport News, 10 June 2016. "Dunlop himself had been ruled out of the first Supersport race result after his engine was found to be using illegal coated cam buckets installed in the motor two years ago when they were inside the regulations". Retrieved 12 June 2016
  14. ^ Michael Dunlop wins Senior in record time BBC Sport, 10 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016
  15. ^ "Michael Dunlop signs for Bennetts Suzuki". 21 February 2017.
  16. ^ "Buildbase Suzuki". suzuki-racing.com.
  17. ^ "BENNETTS SUZUKI CONFIDENT AFTER SPANISH TESTS". suzuki-racing.com.
  18. ^ Motorcycle.com (22 February 2017). "Michael Dunlop To Race Suzuki GSX-R1000 At 2017 Isle Of Man - Motorcycle.com News".
  19. ^ "Results" (PDF). www.iomtt.com.
  20. ^ "TT 2017: Bennetts Suzuki team left frustrated by Dunlop retirement". 4 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Photo" (PDF). www.iomtt.com.
  22. ^ "PICTURES: Michael Dunlop tests Tyco BMW at Kirkistown". 23 April 2018.
  23. ^ a b "COOKSTOWN 100: Derek Sheils and Michael Dunlop make winning start to new season". 28 April 2018.
  24. ^ "COOKSTOWN 100: Michael Dunlop third fastest on Tyco BMW as Derek McGee seals pole". 27 April 2018.
  25. ^ a b "COOKSTOWN 100: Racing abandoned following spate of crashes". 28 April 2018.
  26. ^ "COOKSTOWN 100: Derek Sheils maintains unbeaten winning streak on Suzuki". 29 April 2018.
  27. ^ "2019 Isle of Man TT: Bennetts Lightweight TT Results". Motorcycle.com. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Michael Dunlop wins at Armoy weeks after breaking pelvis". BBC Sport. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Michael Dunlop dominates 2021 Armoy Road Races". RideApart. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Armoy race results and lap records, 2021". Amateur Motor Cycle Racing Club. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Michael Dunlop finishes 11th in Daytona 200 debut". BBC Sport. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Michael Dunlop wildcard British Superbike entry". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  33. ^ "TT 2022: Michael Dunlop wins record ninth Supersport race". BBC Sport. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  34. ^ Fullerton, Gareth (10 June 2022). "Emotional Dunlop celebrates 21st TT win after Supersport masterclass". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Database | Isle of Man TT Races©". www.iomttraces.com. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Dunlop dominates Supertwins race at 2023 Isle of Man TT". Motorsport.com. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Armoy Road Races: Michael Dunlop wins Race of Legends Superbike finale for 10th time". 22 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Michael Dunlop up and running for new season". 27 April 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  39. ^ "Isle of Man TT: 'An honour to share record with Joey', says Michael Dunlop". BBC Sport. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Visor issue in Superbike race keeps Michael Dunlop's Isle of Man TT record champagne on ice". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 3 June 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  41. ^ "Dunlop Makes History with 27th TT Win | Isle of Man TT Races©". www.iomttraces.com. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  42. ^ "Michael Dunlop asserts himself as greatest of all time with 28th TT win". www.iomttraces.com. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  43. ^ "A result was declared in the race after a red-flag stoppage on the last lap". Belfast News Letter. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  44. ^ "2025 Isle of Man TT: Michael Dunlop takes 30th career win in Supersport battle". Crash.net. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  45. ^ "Isle of Man TT 2025: Michael Dunlop clinches 30th career win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  46. ^ "Isle of Man TT 2025 all the results". The Race. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  47. ^ "Dunlop's son races to NW 200 win". 17 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  48. ^ "North West 200: Michael Dunlop clinches two victories". BBC Sport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  49. ^ "Superbike". North West 200. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  50. ^ "North West 200: Dunlop takes controversial NW200 Suoerbike win to complete treble". BBC Sport. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  • [1] Manx 2012
  • [2] MGP 2012 CS race.
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