Michael Dunlop switches teams

[Kwacky]

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Michael Dunlop has dramatically announced his split from Milwaukee Yamaha for this year's Isle of Man TT and will make a last-minute switch to BMW in the Superbike and Senior TT races under the Buildbase BMW banner.

After a disappointing North West 200 on the new Yamaha R1 the 11-time TT winner has ditched the Shaun Muir squad in favour for Stuart Hicken's BMW team.

The decision was made after just three laps of TT practice when Dunlop could only manage a 124.519mph lap compared to outright TT lap record holder Bruce Anstey's 128.641mph on the Valvoline Padgett's Honda machine.

Dunlop said he was 'genuinely sorry' after making the decision but said he had ran out of time to make the machine competitive ahead of Saturday's Superbike race.

"I would like to thank Milwaukee Yamaha for their support in bringing me into their team and I am genuinely sorry to be making this decision," he said.

"Unfortunately I don't think there is enough time left with the sessions we've already lost at the TT to be truly competitive and get the bike to the level we need to in order to win races here."

A team statement released by Milwaukee Yamaha said Dunlop had been released from his contract with immediate effect.

"Milwaukee Yamaha its staff and sponsors have worked tirelessly to prepare a race winning package especially with the introduction of the new R1M," the statement read.


That's a bit shit IMO

[kiwikrasher]

Hell yeah. He must have had a good exit clause. They whole team is on the island and he's just wasted all there time and money. At least ditch them before the TT!

[duke63]

You can't keep pissing everyone off and expect to get the best rides every year.

You can't argue with the man's record but there is so much money involved with top level racing that there are others to consider as well.

[Blade]

Shaun Muir must be fuming.

Talented rider but that decision to fook major teams could come back to haunt him in future years. I know if I ran a team I wouldn't hire him, no matter how good he is.

[D6]

That's crap, what a dick.

[Blade]

Hutchy shows him the rsend

[video]https://youtu.be/9LB2KI9PX2w[/video]

[Kwacky]

That Yam seems to be moving all over the place.

[rocket]

Wow that video Suprised there's not a load of brown stuff leaking from Hutchys leathers.

With regards to the move I am shocked he has been able to do this. Yamaha must be going mental makes the new bike look crap .......guessing they wil not be using his services again

[C00kiemonster]

Apparently the new team are on the boat this afternoon and will arrive an hour or so before practice!

Bad form IMO. Should have given them more of a chance. Lots of money wasted

[Blade]

Totally agree Cookie and I'm sure most of the paddock do too.

He has upset manufacturers with stupid stunts before but has now let down teams, sponsors, mechanics, owners, fans, Yamaha, the list goes on. This can't end well for him surely. Makes you would if anyone is giving him any advice as there is no doubt of his talent on a bike but its almost like he is trying to upset as many people as possible.

[rocket]

reading the article in pb it seemed he was happy as he had free rain to work on the bike. I understand that they can twist things or put on a front but i thought that's how he liked to work doing his own stuff.

How has he pissed other manufacturers off ??

[Blade]

He didn't get his BMW contract renewed. Might of been partly because he turned up to a BMW dealer launch with the press there as the main attraction wearing a Kawasaki T-shirt.

He also p1$$ed Neil Tuxworth off who calls a lot of shots with Honda UK.

[Blade]

Almost like he is hell bent on wrecking things.

The Honda ride was perfect. Fastest bike, probably most established and relaible team at the TT which is important and Big John McGuiness as a willing mentor glad in his words to pass the baton over.

[Blade]

He needs to realise he is part of a team, and NOT the team.

[Tricky]

mardy kid has thrown his toys out the pram, he's good, but he's not his dad or uncle.

[rocket]

At least he makes things entertaining

[Blade]

Big discussion point on tonights itv4 show.

Pressure is on now imagine if he doesn't even podium on the BMW. And there's no guarantees as a really deep and competitive field this year.

Guy Martin, Gary Johnson, Lee Johnston, Ian Hutchinson, John McGuiness, Bruce Anstey, Keith Amor, Cameron Donald, Connor Cummins, William Dunlop, Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison all potential podium placers.

[Blade]

Apparently the BMW didn't arrived in time for tonights practice so he might actually get less time than he would have had on the r1. He now only has Friday practice before Saturdays superbike race.

[duke63]

Does he have to qualify? No idea how TT practice works to be honest.

He's now in a position where if he wins he is a god and if he doesn't come close he's a knob.

[Deegee]

Can you imagine the scene when he came in?

Shaun Muir: "So how's it feel then Michael?"
Michael Dunlop: "It's a fooking heap of shite, I've got a lawnmower that's faster than that."
Shaun Muir: "Ok so it needs a few tweaks, what do you want us to do?"
Michael Dunlop: "Burn it."