Dunlop Replaces Donald on Honda TT Legends EWC Team

With Cameron Donald and Honda TT Legends parting ways two weeks ago, and Michael Dunlop testing with the outfit’s World Endurance Championship squad in Albacete, Spain last week, the logical conclusion of those two events has occurred, with Dunlop singing on to ride with Honda TT Legend’s in the team’s two 24-hour races (the Bol d’Or 24 & the Le Mans 24-hour), riding alongside John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, and Simon Andrews.

Racing as well for the Honda TT Legends team in its road racing events at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200, Dunlop will also act as the reserve rider the HRC-backed squad at the Suzuka 8-hour race. For the young Irishman, it will be a bit of change from road circuits to proper race tracks, but the added exposure of another international series should certainly be a boon to his already promising racing career (Dunlop has three TT race wins under his belt already).

“It’s a great opportunity for me to join the EWC side of the Honda TT Legends as well as doing the road racing,” said Dunlop. “I spent a decent amount of time with the crew in France and Spain last week and put a good few laps on the bike, so I already feel like part of the team. I’ve not done endurance racing before but I’m sure I’ll get to grips with the short track laps soon enough. Spending more time on the bike can only be a good thing in terms of bike fitness, and that all helps on the roads so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

“Michael came to Albacete last week with the priority of testing his TT machine, however we also gave him the opportunity to ride the EWC bike,” added Honda TT Legends Team Manager Neil Tuxworth. “We were very impressed with Michael’s approach to testing, his consistency and the information he was able to feed back to the team.”

“In addition, with the efforts he has made with his training and physical fitness so far, we feel he deserves the opportunity to become the fourth member of the EWC team,” he continued. “We are very pleased to welcome him to the endurance side of things and we’re looking forward to working with him in 2013 to further develop his career.”