North West 200: Michael Dunlop offers injury update as he predicts 'hot and heavy' showdown

Michael Dunlop has predicted things to get "hot and heavy" at this week's North West 200 as he plots another win at the international road race. The Ballymoney rider was third fastest in Wednesday's opening Superbike qualifying, behind BSB pair Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd.

Dunlop goes into the race week nursing an injury sustained after crashing at the recent Cookstown 100, an incident the 35-year-old joked came "out of my own stupidity".

But now the home hero is back on track and plotting his first North West 200 win since 2016.

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He told the BBC: "It's good to be here. The weather is looking decent. It's not too often you come here and the folks say the weather is going to be good all week. The road racing is back again and I am looking forward to getting stuck in.

"I did a lot of miles in a recent 24-hour race which was good. That was beneficial to us. Obviously it wasn't on the new bike, it was the old bike. And last weekend I took a bit of a tumble out of my own stupidity.

"But we have had plenty of miles under the belt, and you need it especially going up against the boys who ride at BSB every weekend. It's going to get hot and heavy, I'd say."

Reflecting on his tumble at the Cookstown, Dunlop said: "I picked up an injury in that Cookstown crash. We are just going to have to re-adapt things this weekend. And once we have that under out belt...it should be good.

"I can't really use it as an excuse as I don't know what it is like at the minute. But I feel good and I don't feel any different to any other year. I am prepped and ready to go. The boys were just a bit late in getting stuff which is a bit of a problem .

"But we'll see. Hopefully we can get through the week and get some data on the bike and see where we're at.

Ahead of Wednesday's opening practice, Dunlop smiled: "Steve (Hicken) says take her steady for a lap, but when you're sitting at 200mph I don't know what he wants me to do. But I am looking forward to it.

"I have no problem going down the road on a brand new bike because I know what they're made of and how they were built and what the boys do to get them right. So the job will be Oxo."

Dunlop was third quickest in opening Superbike practice on Wednesday with a time of 4:22:814 on the MasterMac by Hawk Racing Honda, behind Davey Todd in second (4:19:910, Milwaukee TAS Racing BMW)) and Carrick rider Glenn Irwin who impressed on the Hager PBM Ducati at 4:18:553.

The Ballymoney man was also third fastest in the Supersport class on the Triumph 765 behind Richard Cooper and Todd, and third again in the Superstocks behind Todd and Dean Harrison.

Dunlop said: "There has been a bit of late night working. Thanks to the lads they have worked so hard and done a lot of work at the last minute. It has been a bit painful for them. They probably want to say no but they don't.

"We are doing a good job. The boys working for me are all mates and we are doing the best we can. It has taken a lot of stress to get the bikes ready.

"But I am looking forward to it."

Dunlop, who has five wins at the North West 200, says he would love to add to his tally in 2024.

And he says this week's event will act as good preparation for the Isle of Man TT which starts next month. Dunlop sits just one win behind his late, great uncle Joey who holds the record at 26.

He said: 'I would like another North West win. It has eluded me for quite a while. Something has always come up. I'd like to have a win here and Thursday and Saturday we will have a push."

"The North West will give us a good indication of where we are at ahead of the TT. With new bikes, the new 765 Triumph we don't know a lot about, this is good prep to see. The 2024 Blade is the same.

"It is important to see where we are speed wise and then after that we can work towards the TT."

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