MICHAEL DUNLOP WITHDRAWS FROM PIKES PEAK DUE TO ‘SERIOUS INJURY’

19-time TT Race winner, Michael Dunlop, has officially withdrawn from the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb after sustaining injuries.

Dunlop, who announced he had been invited to compete in the 97th running of the event at the end of March, was set to ride the Wunderlich Motorsport powered by ProKASRO BMW S1000R – the ‘Roadster’ version of the S1000RR Superbike that Dunlop has taken 6 Isle of Man TT Race victories onboard to date.

The world-famous hill climb takes place on Sunday 30th June, with the first practice session taking place yesterday on Tuesday 25th, and takes place along 12.42 miles of the Pikes Peak Highway, features 156 corners, and finishes at the 14,110ft high summit of the Pikes Peak mountain.

An official statement from his MD Racing, Wunderlich Motorsport powered by ProKASRO team said: “Michael and his navigator were involved in a high speed, heavily impacted accident on Saturday, June 22nd at the Donegal International Rally in Ireland. Neither party was at fault. Michael suffered serious injuries which will leave him out of action for two weeks. A further update of his condition will be made in the near future.”

Megan Leatham, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb added: “All of us at the PPIHC wish Michael and his navigator a speedy recovery and hope to see him return to Pikes Peak next year.”

Dunlop was set to be one of only ten entrants in the Pikes Peak Heavyweight motorcycle category and was due to carry his customary TT number of 6 on his debut appearance at the event.

Mountain Course regulars Rob Barber and Eric Wilson are also competing in the 2019 event, with the latter another newcomer to Pikes Peak.

Image courtesy of Wunderlich Motorsport powered by ProKASRO