Hey folks, grab your helmets and get ready for some roaring excitement! Northern Ireland's very own road racing maestro, Michael Dunlop, has finally made it onto the streets, passing his long-overdue motorcycle test. The 25-time Isle of Man TT champion, and nephew of the legendary Joey Dunlop, conquered the test on a Wednesday, marking a new chapter in his high-speed journey.
Despite tearing up the racing scene since 2007, Michael had somehow never found the time to take the official road route until now. The Broughshane-based Moto Training NI spilled the beans on their star pupil, proudly announcing that the man himself is officially road legal.
They took to Facebook to share the good news, along with a snapshot of Michael looking triumphant after acing his test. The school cheekily recounted the initial call they received from Dunlop, mentioning, "So I get this phone call from a guy who said he had lots of experience riding on the roads, but seemed to be having difficulty keeping a bike lined up and both wheels on the ground." The trainers managed to whip him into shape, and the rest, as they say, is history.
With his newly acquired road legal status, Michael Dunlop is gearing up for an even more thrilling ride later this year. Brace yourselves, as he plans to unleash his Honda Fireblade's full power at the 2024 Isle of Man TT in June, representing Hawk Racing. After a successful 2023 season, where he joined the exclusive club of riders clocking over 135mph on the Isle of Man TT's Mountain Course, Dunlop is hungry for more victories.
Reflecting on his achievements, he acknowledged the team's hard work but confessed, "I felt we could have been better than what we were and there was more in us." Despite a bit of disappointment, Dunlop remains optimistic about the future, vowing to push even harder.
It seems that hitting the road in style is becoming a trend among Northern Irish riders. Just last year, Larne's own Jonathan Rea, a six-time Superbike World Championship winner, aced his motorcycle test with the same school. In July 2021, Rea expressed his joy, stating, "It’s been something I have wanted to do for such a long time but with my sporting commitments and busy calendar, it has been tough."
So there you have it – two Northern Irish racing titans, officially road-ready and adding a new dimension to their high-speed lives. Here's to safe rides, thrilling races, and more road adventures for Michael Dunlop and Jonathan Rea!
