‘Dunlop is peerlessat just 24’ - Davison

Stephen Davison, who has produced eight books on road racing covering a period of 30 years, says Dunlop is currently peerless, but added that the best is yet to come.

Speaking exclusively to the Times during the Freedom of the Borough ceremony awarded to Dunlop last Friday, Davison said the 24-year-old’s achievements so far made him the best.

“Let’s remember that his uncle Joey and John McGuinness, two of the greatest ever, had still not raced in the Isle of Man and here we have Michael already notching up seven TT wins,” Davison said.

He added: “What makes him unique is a combination of incredible skill, coupled with a fierce determination to succeed.

“He let’s nothing stand in the way of winning and his ruthless approach has to be seen to be believed.”

While acknowledging the incredible achievements of Joey and Robert Dunlop along with John McGuinness, Davison says that fans can look forward to even greater success from Michael.

“Michael has the talent to become one of the greatest ever but at 24 years old no one has ever matched what he has achieved,” Davison added.

Dunlop’s plans for 2014 are very much in the spotlight.

There has been spec ulation he will sign to race a BMW superbike.

However, Dunlop said if he is not bike racing he could be doing rally car driving in a Mark II Escort.