National Road Racing is “Finished” According to Michael Dunlop

Because of the influx of British Superbike racers, highlighted by Glenn Irwin at the North West 200, as his 11 wins make him the most successful rider ever at the event, Michael Dunlop believes the biggest road races will continue to thrive, including the Isle of Man TT.

But in the same breath, Dunlop believes national road racing, as it once was, is now ‘finished’ because it's being dominated by track-racing stars who are winning international road races, which used to be the bread and butter for national road racers.

In 2024 Dunlop became the official record holder for the most wins at the Isle of Man TT, with 29 victories, replacing his uncle Joey Dunlop who previously held the record with 26.

Dunlop’s 2024 Isle of Man TT showing was a reminder that he, and other national road racers, can still win against the likes of British Superbike riders, however, there has been a noticeable switch in that regard over the last few years.

Peter Hickman is one name who has become a consistent race winner at the TT, while Irwin’s record at the North West, despite being a full-time BSB rider, has given even more focus to riders from British Superbikes.

Speaking on the matter, Dunlop said: "People will not like it but national road racing is finishing. It's finished, we can see that," he said. “The TT will thrive regardless, the North West will thrive regardless. That might be controversial.

"National road racing used to be the platform to go international road racing. Realistically, who is now winning international road races who is a national road racer? We're racing against BSB people now. That's who is at the front of the North West now, that's who wants to be riding at the front of the TT."

While it’s not something he particularly enjoys, Dunlop’s fame continues to grow thanks to his road racing success. That can sometimes make him feel uneasy, with Dunlop saying: "People don't understand people like me. We don't do it for fame, I don't classify myself as famous.

"We're not used to what's going on, some people think that's ignorance. I ride a motorbike, that's where I do my thing, and afterwards, I just want to go back to being normal. People spend their whole lives on social media trying to be famous. I just want to be successful.

"People want to be a popstar or a TV presenter or whatever it is. I just want to be a motorbike racer because that's what we're reared in."

What he does enjoy though, is how the sport is recognised worldwide. Dunlop added: "You're getting recognition from different parts of the world, Australia, New Zealand. You're getting pictures sent to you from bars, and even if you walked into the bar, the people would never know who you are, but there's a picture on the wall of you on a bike.

"It's cool because when I went to some of those different places, there's pictures of Joey on the bar and now you're seeing this."

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