Michael Dunlop Announces Return To Roadracing For 2019

Michael Dunlop and the Tyco BMW Motorrad Team have announced that the 18-time Isle of Man TT winner will compete in the 2019 International Road Racing season, putting to rest any speculation that Dunlop would retire from roadracing after the tragic death of his older brother William at the Skerries 100 last July near Dublin.

“The announcement of Michael’s return for the 2019 season has been a breath of fresh air to the race paddock, where a dark cloud has hung over the sport since William’s untimely death,” said Noel Johnston, clerk of the course at the Ulster Grand Prix. “Personally speaking, I have mixed emotions. Part of me would like to have seen him retire as he has done it all and has nothing left to prove, but I know it’s in his blood. As a roadrace fan and promoter myself, I know he will be in the mix with Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison, and Lee Johnston at the TT and Ulster Grand Prix, which will no doubt have us all on the edge of our seats.”

The Dunlop family is no stranger to tragedy: William and Michael’s father Robert was killed in an accident while practicing for the North West 200 in 2008, with both sons competing at the time of his death, while 26-time TT winner and legend—and Michael’s uncle—Joey Dunlop died in 2000 during wet conditions at a race in Tallinn, Estonia.

But Michael will be back in 2019, challenging the Mountain Course aboard the all-new Tyco BMW S1000RR Superbike and hoping to add even more hardware to the trophy case at the upcoming 2019 IOMTT event in June.