Isle of Man TT: Michael Dunlop – “My Season Depends On It”

Over the last ten years, nobody can boast a better record around the 37.74 mile course than Michael Dunlop. He has claimed victory 18 times since making his TT debut in 2007, and claiming a further 11 podium finishes. On Honda, Suzuki, BMW and Paton machinery, the ‘Ballymoney Missile’ has conquered all and sundry.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the TT would simply not be the same without the Dunlop name. In fact, you could go further and say that the TT without a Dunlop is unthinkable. Three members of the Dunlop family have tasted the winner’s champagne since 1977, and together they boast a combined total of 49 victories – 26 for Joey, 5 for Robert and 18 so far for Michael.

However, a TT meeting without the Dunlop name was a very real possibility at the start of the year.

Following the tragic death of his older brother William, last July at the Skerries race meeting in Ireland, the 29-year old had taken an indefinite break from the sport. He packed up, went home and didn’t climb back on a bike for the rest of the year. Understandably he had put his and his family’s well being first.

There was therefore much relief (and celebration) from road racing fans and journalists alike when the news came through a few weeks ago, that Michael would be returning to contest the island in 2019.

The return to racing had not been taken lightly. Speaking on stage last week at the official Isle of Man TT launch night, at the Villa Marina theatre, Dunlop spoke candidly about his decision:

“I took a while to decide whether I would come back. We’re not sure yet what the plan for is for after the North West and the TT, it is getting harder for me to justify doing all the road races anymore.”

“The TT is the one I couldn’t not do. For me there’s no race that’s bigger, and my season depends on it. I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t think I could win it, and the lads and I are working flat out to bring the old lady home again.”

Dunlop has also confirmed that he will once again compete in the principle support classes on the mountain course:  

“I’m still running my own team in Supersport and Superstocks. I find it more relaxing, you don’t have to make compromises to anyone – I can have the bikes set up exactly to my liking. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but that’s life.”

As understated as ever, Dunlop’s privateer team is not your average ‘run of the mill’ outfit. Winning is everything, and he runs his ship accordingly. Most of the work to the bikes is done either solely by himself or by a select few mechanics. Built on the foundations of trust in each other’s mechanical skill and friendship, it is a small operation but one which works seamlessly. The MD Racing team has undoubtedly played an enormous role in Michael’s continued success, and likely a key factor in his decision to return to racing this year.

As with all the other riders who appeared on stage, Dunlop was asked to rate his own chances ahead of this year’s edition. As ever, he was direct and to the point with his answer:      

“There’s a few riders who I’ll have to be at my best to beat. It’s different now to ten years ago when I first came here. There are less road racing thoroughbreds and a lot more short circuit racers here, so it’s a different kind of race now. The guys racing in the British championship have had the glory in recent times, and several people have written me off. That’s motivation enough for me.”

Far from criticising this new approach, Dunlop is embracing them. He has signed up to race in the early rounds of this year’s BSB championship, to get his eye in before the international road races begin in May.

18 TT victories and counting. With a full winter of pre-season testing under his belt, the early signs are that 2019 may well be a vintage year for Michael as he looks to draw closer to his uncle Joey’s record tally.