Late entry Michael Dunlop set for Hawk Honda roads debut at CDE Cookstown 100

Kyle White
By Kyle White
Published 13th Apr 2023, 17:25 BST
Updated 13th Apr 2023, 21:56 BST
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Michael Dunlop is a late entry for next weekend’s CDE Cookstown 100 in Co Tyrone, where he is set to make his debut on the Hawk Racing Honda Superbike.

The Ballymoney man, the outright lap record holder around the 2.1-mile Orritor course, is also entered in the Supersport class on his MD Racing Yamaha R6 and a McAdoo Kawasaki Supertwin.

He set the lap record of 91.480mph at Cookstown 10 years ago, when he last rode a Honda Superbike in the big-bike class.

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The 34-year-old has won 10 times at the national road race, including on his last appearance at the event in 2018, when he claimed a win in the first Supersport race.

Michael Dunlop on the Hawk Racing Honda Superstock machine at the opening round of the British Superbike Chamionship at Silverstone. Picture: David Yeomans PhotographyMichael Dunlop on the Hawk Racing Honda Superstock machine at the opening round of the British Superbike Chamionship at Silverstone. Picture: David Yeomans Photography
Michael Dunlop on the Hawk Racing Honda Superstock machine at the opening round of the British Superbike Chamionship at Silverstone. Picture: David Yeomans Photography

Dunlop is gearing up for the North West 200 next month and the Isle of Man TT, where he claimed a Supersport double in 2022 to move onto 21 victories around the Mountain Course, five behind his legendary uncle Joey.

He rode the Hawk Racing Honda Superstock machine in the opening round of the British Superbike Championship over the Easter weekend and was also in action at the Belfast Club’s Ulster Superbike meeting on Easter Monday at Kirkistown, where he rode his MD Racing Yamaha and a McAdoo Kawasaki Supertwin.

Dunlop is among the guests at the official launch of the 2023 Isle of Man TT on Saturday.

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Last year, he was left on the back foot after pulling out of a deal to ride a Ducati Panigale V4R for Paul Bird only weeks before the North West 200, citing a lack of testing and preparation.

Dunlop was thrown a lifeline by loyal backers Stuart and Steve Hicken of Hawk Racing to a ride a Suzuki GSX-R1000, and claimed a best result of third in the Superbike TT.

However, Dunlop – whose last win in the blue riband class was achieved on the Tyco BMW in the 2018 Superbike race – will now be targeting the top step as he makes a return to Honda Fireblade machinery on the CBR1000RR-R, a decade after he rode the Honda TT Legends machine to a memorable first win in the class in the 2013 Superbike TT.

He rode a Honda Fireblade in the Superstock category under his own MD Racing banner in 2022, but has not ridden Honda Superbike machinery since his time with the ‘Legends’ team a decade ago.

Related topics:Michael Dunlop