Michael Dunlop and Peter Hickman will return to defend their titles in the Supertwin TT class after confirming their entries among the top 20 starters for the category at the 2024 Isle of Man TT.

The dominant force of the class in 2023 in terms of pure pace, Dunlop's victory in the first of two Supertwin TT races last year contributed to the four victories he'd achieve overall during the event.

However, he would be denied a double victory after technical problems with his Paton S1-R forced him to retire from a comfortable lead in the second encounter.

Nevertheless, Dunlop - competing under his own MD Racing banner - will stick with the Italian motorcycle for his 2024 TT tilt as he bids to secure the win that will allow him to at least draw level with uncle Joey Dunlop at the summit of the all-time TT race winners record table.

Also a four-time winner at the 2023 TT, Hickman scored an unexpected victory during the second Supertwin TT race courtesy of problems for riders ahead of him. He returns for 2024, once again riding his PHR Performance Yamaha R7.

Leading the challenge against two of the TT's elite competitors will be 2023 Supertwin TT podium winners Jamie Coward, once more on his KTS Racing Kawasaki, Pierre Yves-Bian on the Paton, Josh Brookes and also Mike Browne.

Other riders expected to fight it out for the leading positions include Davey Todd on the Dafabet Kawasaki and Lee Johnston riding the Ashcourt Racing Aprilia.