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Dunlop competing on two bikes at Cookstown 100
TL;DR
Michael Dunlop will compete on two bikes at the Cookstown 100, riding a BMW Superstock in the Open and feature races, and a Honda in the Moto3 class. This event serves as part of his preparation for the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.
Key points
- Michael Dunlop competing at Cookstown 100
- Riding BMW Superstock and Honda Moto3
- Preparation for North West 200 and Isle of Man TT
- Late entry after Oulton Park test sessions
- Won Supersport and feature races last year
Michael DunlopCookstown 100North West 200Isle of Man TT
Michael Dunlop is competing at this weekend's Cookstown 100 national road race as he continues his preparations for the forthcoming North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international events.
The Ballymoney rider will ride in the Open and feature races on his MD Racing BMW Superstock machine and will campaign a Honda in the Moto3 class for the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing outfit run by former racer John Burrows.
Dunlop was a late entry for the meeting after participating in test sessions at Oulton Park earlier this week.
The 37-year-old took a double over the 2.1-mile Orritor circuit 12 months ago, winning the Supersport and feature races and setting a new course lap record at 91.773mph.
"It was a bit of a late, last minute thing," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI.
"We are so busy and we weren't going to come as the 600 [Supersport bike] is stripped to bits to get ready for the North West 200 as it is just around the corner.
"I brought my Superstock. I like it and I like riding Cookstown. It has always been nice to ride around here and it is a good thing to get out and get a bit of racing done. The weather is lovely and that is half the battle.
"The biggest thong with the Stocker is that we haven't had much time on it so it gives it a chance to get an outing."
The 33-time TT winner will also have a rare outing in the Moto3s.
"We had sort of done a gentleman's agreement, me and John Burrows, about riding his Moto3 months ago and I said if I was able to come, I would come and then I forgot clean about it.
"So, he called me again on Thursday and I was like 'aw, I forgot all about all about that!".
Dunlop added that a degree of caution had to be exercised with his two biggest events of the season just around the corner.
"At the end of the day, it is about staying out of trouble a little bit with the NW 200 just around the corner and the TT just around the corner from that as well so we are at a stage that you have to just watch yourself."
Practice and qualifying is under way at the Orritor circuit, with three races, including an Open A Invitation race, scheduled to take place on Friday evening.
Among the other leading competitors are Magherafelt's Paul Jordan, a first-time podium finisher at the North West 200 last year, Skerries rider Michael Sweeney, Darryl Tweed and Kevin Keyes.
He is competing at the race for the first time in four years and will be on board a Ducati V2 in the Supersport category.
Q&A
What bikes is Michael Dunlop riding at the Cookstown 100?
Michael Dunlop is riding a BMW Superstock machine in the Open and feature races and a Honda in the Moto3 class.
What is the significance of the Cookstown 100 for Michael Dunlop?
The Cookstown 100 is significant for Michael Dunlop as it is part of his preparations for the upcoming North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international events.
What were Michael Dunlop's achievements at the Cookstown 100 last year?
Last year, Michael Dunlop won the Supersport and feature races at the Cookstown 100 and set a new course lap record at 91.773mph.
