Hunts Motorcycles back Michael Dunlop

Michael Dunlop will race a Honda Fireblade in this year’s superstock races supplied by Manchester Honda dealer Hunts Motorcycles.

As well as the international road races, the Ballymoney rider is also hoping to take in several National Superstock Championship rounds.

The 22 year old is looking forward to building on his already considerable list of successes which include an emotional victory in the 2008 250cc North West 200, (which came only days after the tragic loss of his father on the same circuit( and his sensational Supersport TT win last year.

He said: “The Fireblade has already shown that it is a very capable and competitive machine on the road circuits. I’m hoping that we can be on the pace straight away.

“John and the boys at Hunts have been working hard to get the bike together for me and I’m really looking forward to riding it for the first time soon.”

Hunts Motorcycles MD John Brown added: “We are delighted to be able to help Michael this year and have already built up a great working relationship with him.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to be part of what I am sure will be a winning team.

“Michael is young, talented and determined to go all the way and we at Hunts will do all we can to help him do just that. We are really looking forward to being involved and wish him every success.”