Michael Dunlop in late entry for Cookstown 100 but no Ducati for Isle of Man TT legend
Michael Dunlop is a late entry for this weekend’s Bear Competitions Cookstown 100 in Co Tyrone.
Dunlop arrived in the paddock at the Orritor course on Friday morning ahead of the opening Irish road race of 2026.
The 37-year-old has been a regular at Cookstown in recent years and clinched a double last year with a Supersport and Superbike success.
Dunlop also established a new outright lap record around the 2.1-mile course in 2025 at 91.773mph.
The Ballymoney man tested a Ducati Superbike at the official British Superbike test at Oulton Park on Tuesday and Wednesday after unveiling the machine in a social media post on Saturday night.
The 33-time Isle of Man TT winner also tested his Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport machine at Oulton.
However, he seems set to only ride his MD Racing BMW Superstock machine at Cookstown and will also make a rare appearance in the Moto3 class for Dungannon team Burrows Engineering/RK Racing.
Dunlop will ride the Ducati V2 Supersport bike again this season after winning on the machine at Cookstown 12 months ago, before following up with a victory at the North West 200.
He then went on to win both Supersport races at the Isle of Man TT in 2025 to give Ducati their first wins at the event in 30 years.
Practice takes place at the Cookstown 100 on Friday followed by three scheduled races, including a Supertwin B race and the Open A Invitation Superbike and Junior Support B events.
On Saturday, 15 races are due to take place, with roads closed from 07:30 BST until no later than 19:30 BST.
SEE ALSO: