Michael Dunlop feels Irish national road racing is “finished” and is no longer a tried and tested route for riders aiming to win on the biggest stage at the Isle of Man TT or North West 200.
The Ballymoney man honed his skills at the smaller road racing meetings such as the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100 and Mid Antrim 150 on his way to becoming the most successful TT rider in history with 29 victories, but national road racing has been on a steady decline in recent years.
No events have been run in the Republic of Ireland in 2023 or 2024, with famous races such as the Skerries 100, Walderstown and Faugheen wiped off the calendar because of crippling insurance costs which are beyond the reach of the organising clubs, which are run by volunteers.
In Northern Ireland, Cookstown and Armoy are the only national road races to have taken place over the previous two years, although there is hope that the Tandragee 100 could return in 2025.
However, Dunlop believes the best days of national road racing are long gone and, although he feels the TT and NW200 will continue to thrive, the 35-year-old doesn’t see a future for the smaller meetings.
“People will not like it but national road racing is finishing. It’s finished, we can see that,” Dunlop said in an interview with BBC Sport NI.
“The TT will thrive regardless; the North West will thrive regardless. That might be controversial.
“National road racing used to be the platform to go international road racing.
“Realistically, who is now winning international road races who is a national road racer? We’re racing against BSB people now.
“That’s who is at the front of the North West now, that’s who wants to be riding at the front of the TT.”
Dunlop was honoured in his home town of Ballymoney on Saturday evening, with a series of events marking his success at the TT.
The 35-year-old surpassed his famous uncle Joey’s record of 26 wins in June when he won four races for the second consecutive year to set a new tally of 29 victories around the Mountain Course.
“When you see the people out in the town, you realise what you’re actually doing is bringing something to other people’s lives and not just your own,” Dunlop said.
“I’m proud of where I’m from, all the family still live probably within a five-mile radius. We’re proud of where we’re from, and today, standing out here, it’s been a lovely experience.”