The third most successful rider around the Isle of Man is gearing up to start another full on event around the Snaefell Mountain Course.

34-year-old Michael Dunlop has been taking part in the TT since 2007 and has collected 21 TT wins so far. He is currently five wins behind his uncle and record holder for most TT wins, Joey Dunlop, and is three wins behind IOM TT legend, John McGuinness.

This year Dunlop has a wide variety of bikes all lined up and ready to go. The Ballymoney rider will ride a Hawk Racing Honda in the Superbike class, a MD Racing Honda in Superstock, a Supersport Yamaha and also a Paton for the Supertwin class.

"If you're a road racer, your biggest goal is the TT, the Olympic gold medal." said Dunlop ahead of this years TT at the official launch event.

"My era is different that Joey's. I'm not looking at goals or overall wins, there's not a number I'm looking for."

"You're only as good as your last race. Once you perform at the TT people want you and if they don't perform at the TT they don't want you, it's the only reason why I'm still in a job."

"While I've still got the know-how to win races I'll keep coming and if I get to the stage I don't think I can win I won't come."

"It's a place that throws so many spanners in the works. You can have a good year or a bad one."

If Dunlop does want to add more wins to his tally then he will have to challenge and beat the current lap record holder, Peter Hickman and his FHO Racing BMW.

Last year at the TT Dunlop took victory in both Supersport events but struggled in the big bike classes after a last minute change of team and machinery for the TT.

"The disappointment we had with the big bike last year we had to make amends (in the Supersport races)." Dunlop said reflecting on last years Isle of Man TT event.

"I knew it would be tight, I knew nobody was going to walk away with it and I knew I had to up my game on the final lap."

"I was the only person to break a lap record all week at the TT so it means we still have the speed. There's definitely more in the tank."

"When your back is against the wall sometimes you have to keep pushing. There was enough to let me believe we still have something and I think if we get the Superbike sorted and dialled in properly I can go back to riding that hard as well. I'll give it 100%."