Michael Dunlop Lands Stateside for Daytona 200
Michael Dunlop is back to contest the unique Daytona 200 and is just one of several UK racers taking part
Michael Dunlop will once again be contesting the unique and prestigious Daytona 200 in Florida, and this time he’ll be racing with Ducati power.
Dunlop has shared images of a previous generation (Superquadro 955cc) Ducati Panigale V2, thought to be the same bike he used during a World Superbike pre-season test at Jerez. It’s making it seem increasingly likely that Dunlop will be using a Panigale V2 for this year’s roads campaign.
The Panigale V2 is beginning to look like the bike to beat in the Supersport class, with Todd's success at the NW200 being just one of a number of high-profile victories for the Borgo Panigale brand. It also reigned supreme in the BSB Supersport class in 2023, with Ben Currie again bringing the Ducati home in third place in the standings last season.
2025 won’t be Dunlop’s first visit to Daytona, as he previously finished in a strong 11th place in 2021, then riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja. Other UK-based riders contesting the event this year will be Richard Cooper (#147), Harry Truelove (#107) Matt Truelove (#123), and Peter Hickman (#765). Hickman and Cooper will both be racing PHR Performance Triumph 765 Street Triples, while the Truelove brothers will be riding Truelove Brothers Racing Suzuki GSX-R750s.
The Daytona 200 is easily America’s most famous and prestigious motorcycle road race, and has been held since the 1930s. Initially held on the sand of Daytona Beach, it was only in the 1960s that the event shifted to the paved oval of the Daytona International Raceway.
Images: Michael Dunlop - Facebook
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
