Michael Dunlop

Michael Dunlop, a man that needs no introduction at the Isle of Man TT Races.

Synonymous with the sport of road racing, the Dunlop family have stood on the podium at the Isle of Man TT Races no less than 90 times while the legendary surname has been etched onto a TT winner’s trophy on 52 separate occasions to date. But these jubilant highs have been accompanied by devastating lows in equal measure. Michael’s father Robert, brother William and uncle Joey have all been lost to the sport they love, yet through all this unimaginable tragedy, Michael continues to race, and to win. 

Since making his debut in 2007 at only 18-years of age, Michael has been at the heart of some of the most extraordinary TT moments in modern history. His first win in the second 600cc Supersport Race of 2009 marked the beginning of an era where the youngest Dunlop was always in the fight for victory. He has enjoyed great on-track battles with the likes of John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey, but without doubt his most fierce rivalry has been with Ian Hutchinson.

The mid-2010s saw Dunlop and Hutchinson take victory after victory, with 2016 being a stand-out year for Michael as he became the first rider ever to record a sub 17-minute lap of the TT Course during the RST Superbike race with a speed of 133.369 mph. 

While the 2018 and 2019 editions of the TT saw Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman steal the headlines and raise the level of competition further still, Dunlop continued to go about his business and win races. A hat-trick in 2018 was followed by a 19th career win in 2019, despite riding with a significant injury, and two more Monster Energy Supersport victories were taken in 2022 where he bettered his own lap record with a stunning speed of 129.475mph.

Hickman and Harrison continued to have the upper hand in the 1000cc class, but Dunlop bucked that trend in 2023 as a switch to the Hawk Racing Honda enabled him to return to the top step of the RST Superbike podium for the first time since 2018. 2023 also saw Michael become the second rider ever to break the 135mph barrier and with three more wins to his name, he’s now moved onto a career total of 25, just one behind the all-time record of his Uncle Joey. 

2024 will surely be the year that Michael makes history, one more TT win will see him equal his Uncle Joey and become the most successful TT rider in history.

VIEW FROM OUR RIDER LIAISON OFFICERS

Where do you start with Michael? He’s an amazing and raw natural talent, it’s clear there’s many more wins to come for him. Not everyone gets to see it but, away from the cameras, he’s a really nice guy and if anyone is to beat Joey Dunlop’s record of 26 TT wins, it would be good, and fitting, if Michael is the man to do it.

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