The return of the Isle of Man TT Races will also see Michael Dunlop return to GSX-R1000R machinery for the Superbike classes, as he today confirmed that he joins Stuart and Steve Hicken’s Hawk Racing.
The announcement renews a long and illustrious partnership with the family-run team, which began in 2014 and included a Superbike and Senior TT double in their debut year.
Two more victories came at TT 2016 before the team switched to Suzuki power for the 2017 season. Despite the change, Dunlop was able to take the brand-new and unproven GSX-R L7 model to an impressive Senior TT – Suzuki’s first in 13 years.
19-time TT winner Dunlop commented: “After 3 years away from the roads and the Isle of Man, it’s important for me to be with a team I know and on a bike that I know. It’s been a big effort to get the bike ready so quickly, so I can’t thank Stuart [Hicken], Steve [Hicken], and the team, plus my own Street Sweep, H&S Contractors, and UGGLY&CO personal sponsors enough for all their efforts.”
Team Principal of Hawk Racing Steve Hicken added: “We’ve a great relationship with Michael and have enjoyed a lot of success over the years. Of course these aren’t ideal circumstances without any testing, but you can never rule Michael out and we’ll do everything we can to give him the bike he needs.”