Michaels Dunlop and Rutter have been drafted in to a bigger and better Honda TT Legends squad for 2013 and will join existing teamsters John McGuinness, Simon Andrews and Cameron Donald.

Nineteen-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness, road racing ace Cameron Donald and 2011 fastest TT newcomer Simon Andrews will remain with the Honda TT Legends for the four-round EWC season.

McGuinness will be joined by 13-time NW200 winner and three-time TT victor Michael Rutter and three-time TT winner Michael Dunlop to form a three-man Superbike squad for the TT and the NW200. Rutter will also join the team to complete the four-man EWC rider line-up. 

"I’m really excited to be riding with the Honda TT Legends next year. Endurance is not something I have done before so that’s going to be a great experience and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do there.," said Rutter.

"I’ve obviously got a history with the Louth-based team as I did BSB and the roads with them for a couple of years in 2004/2005, so I’m familiar with the Fireblade and I know the crew well. It will be good to be back with the team and I’m really happy to back with Honda."

Michael Dunlop, whose brother Willam has signed for the new Milwaukee Yamaha team, added: "This is a big opportunity for me with both Honda and Dunlop and it’s an honour to be riding for them so I’m looking forward to getting started. People are asking me how it will be for me having John as a team-mate but when we get on the bike it will be the same. I get on well with John but I don’t worry about anybody else when I’m on track. As a team we’ve got a great line-up with Rutter as well so it’ll be a pretty good show."