Michael Dunlop Prioritizes TT Race Wins
Michael Dunlop, the Isle of Man TT wins record holder, has stated that winning TT races remains the priority of his career. The 37-year-old rider from Northern Ireland enjoys the support he receives from fans worldwide but acknowledges that the attention can sometimes be overwhelming.
Dunlop surpassed his legendary uncle Joey Dunlop in 2024 to become the most successful competitor in the history of the Isle of Man TT, holding 33 wins entering the current year's races. This achievement followed his fifth career four-timer victory a year earlier.
In an interview with The BBC Bikes Podcast, Dunlop discussed the increased recognition he has experienced in recent years due to his record-breaking accomplishments.
"The last couple of years my personal profile has gone through the roof just because the sport has taken off in different areas," he said.
"Some people want to be famous, I just want to be successful. I come from a small town and we're not used to hustles and bustles of people.
"When you're not used to it it is kind of daunting, and when you're not really a people talking person anyway it doesn't help.
"Sometimes some people don't know how to separate ignorance from awkwardness but when people are here it's great to see the support we get from all over the world."
Dunlop's Record-Breaking TT Achievements
Dunlop's success at the Isle of Man TT includes a record 15 Supersport wins, seven victories in the Supertwins class, five Superbike race wins, and three wins each in the Senior and Superstock races. Between 2009 and 2025, he has won races on machines from seven different manufacturers. Additionally, he holds the record for the most podium finishes at the event, with 51.
Reflecting on his career goals, Dunlop said:
"I've always wanted in life to be the most successful TT rider of all time. We've moved it into another bracket now, moved from the 20s into the 30s [in terms of race wins],"
"Joey's record stood for a long time and when I broke it had stood for 24 years. Not many people get to a point in their sporting career where they are the greatest person of all time in the sport they do.
"For me it's a massive record and I've been consistently winning. For some people that's not the case. For the past number of years we've had a consistency so that's been nice.
"It's the biggest road race in the year. This is what everyone plans for, if you want to be a top road racer this is where you have to be successful."
TT Qualifying and Race Preparations
During qualifying, Dunlop was the fastest rider in the Supersport and Sportbike (formerly Supertwin) classes. However, he has encountered challenges with the setup of the Hawk Racing Honda he is using for the Superbike and Senior races.
Although a Ducati ride was considered for the big races, Dunlop has decided to postpone competing on the Italian bike to allow further development.
"It doesn't get any easier but we'll try our best and see what happens.
"The big bikes have been a struggle, we've been trying lots and lots of stuff and the boys have been working hard.
"We've just had a few things thrown at us that have changed the game dramatically for us for the feeling I'm looking for.
"We've made another big change for the Superbike race so we'll see what that brings us."
The Superbike race is scheduled for six laps covering 226 miles, starting at 13:30 BST on Sunday. Dunlop ranked fourth in the practice leaderboard, behind Honda Racing's Dean Harrison, 14-time race winner Peter Hickman, and Josh Brookes, with a lap speed exceeding 132 mph.
"I'll give it 100%. I would just like to see me on the right day with everything going right, to see what we're capable of.
"I'll push the limits of the material we've got and if it's good enough to do it it's good enough to do it and if it's not.
"No track time on the bike hasn't helped and you're riding against boys who have been riding the same bike for the past three years."
