We can turn it around - Dunlop

Michael Dunlop is confident he can turn his new Milwaukee Yamaha R1 into a winning package at the Isle of Man TT.
Michael Dunlop is confident he can turn his new Milwaukee Yamaha R1 into a winning package at the Isle of Man TT.  PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISONMichael Dunlop is confident he can turn his new Milwaukee Yamaha R1 into a winning package at the Isle of Man TT.  PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON
Michael Dunlop is confident he can turn his new Milwaukee Yamaha R1 into a winning package at the Isle of Man TT. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON

Dunlop, who made history last year after recording his second successive four-timer on the Mountain Course to boost his tally to 11 wins, hasn’t enjoyed the best preparation for the legendary event with the all-new Superbike.

The Ulster rider crashed while leading the feature Superbike race at the Cookstown 100 and struggled to challenge Alastair Seeley at the North West 200, but Dunlop believes he can turn his fortunes around at the TT, where he hopes to complete his first laps on the machine on Tuesday evening after Monday’s planned session was cancelled due to bad weather.

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“I know what I’m capable of and all I need now is the tools,” Dunlop said.

“We’ve had a tough start to the year and it’s been a little different this year for the simple reason that this bike hasn’t been seen before.

“It’s not been around for a year or a couple of years, every engine that we keep getting is a brand new spec of engine – it’s not an engine that’s been ran,” he added on Manx radio.

“Yes it’s been tough at the start of the year, but I’m confident that we can turn it around and I’m not scared of anyone out on the track and I’m confident in what I can do.”

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Dunlop won both Superbike and Senior races in 2014 at the TT and completed a clean sweep of the 1000cc classes on the BMW S1000RR.

He also added a win in the second Supersport race on his MD Racing Honda to join Phillip McCallen and Steve Hislop on 11 victories, only three behind the great Mike Hailwood.