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'I’m a bit like Marmite: you either like me or you don’t' - Michael Dunlop

Michael Dunlop

"I’m a unique character. I’m hard work, there’s no doubt about it. But if you don’t like me, I’m not that bothered"

Michael Dunlop was named the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year at the Irish Motorbike Awards last week.

When speaking at the award ceremony Dunlop stated: 'I’ve been through so much that I don’t really give a shit if you don’t like me.'

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Dunlop's latest award came after he won his 29th Isle of Man TT at the event in 2024. The 35-year-old was able to match and then surpass his uncle Joey Dunlop's former record of 26 TT victories.

Joey Dunlop's record stood for 24 years, but it was poetic that his nephew was the one to end his historic reign. Michael Dunlop set a new benchmark, which could have been 30 TT wins if he had not suffered mechanical issues in the Senior TT and a visor issue in the Superbike TT.

“Due to my family history, I’m not the most approachable person,” Dunlop said.

“I’ve been through it all and I’m a bit like Marmite: you either like me or you don’t. I’ve been through so much that I don’t really give a shit if you don’t like me. And I know that doesn’t suit everybody, but the people that know me know that I’m as straight as a die.

“I’m a unique character. I’m hard work, there’s no doubt about it. But if you don’t like me, I’m not that bothered. I’m a rare character, but at the end of the day my family name is my biggest goal.”

Dunlop added: “There’s a lot of crooks in this job and whether they love me or hate me, this year people have been really respectful. I’d like to thank everybody who’s clapped their hands because we’ve achieved something that’s stood for 24 years. My uncle Joey was a massive part of road racing and obviously to break that has taken me to the next level.”

Dunlop is yet to announce his 2025 plans for the Isle of Man TT. However, there may be some clues in his most recent appearance at the Jerez World Superbike Test.

The Northern Irishman was at the Spanish circuit on a Ducati Panigale V2, which was registered as a Milwaukee Ducati. These two factors suggest a possible return to TAS Racing for Dunlop in the near future.

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