Dunlop gets first ride on BMW

Michael Dunlop has at last made his debut on the Hawk Racing BMW, joining Ryuichi Kiyonari and James Westmoreland for a day-long test at a wet Mallory Park last week.

The Northern Irishman, making the switch from Honda for the Isle of Man TT, will also ride the opening rounds of the MCE British Superbike campaign before getting his first ‘roads’ outing at April’s Cookstown 100.

Dunlop said: “It was good to have a run out for sure. The last time I was at Mallory Park was in 2005 so I just wanted to get out on the BMW and do  as yesterday was my first time on the bike. It was good as all three of us were there and could compare. The Donington Park test is next and is a faster circuit so that should suit me well and all being well we can get some good laps in ready for Brands Hatch.”

Testing continues tomorrow at Donington and next Tuesday and Wednesday (8th and 9th April) at Snetterton, and both are open to the public, with a £5 admission fee for Donington and free entry for Snetterton.