Michael Dunlop will again compete in the Endurance World Championship this year after striking a deal to ride a BMW in the Superbike class.
Dunlop finished 16th last year with French team TRT27 in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours race in the FIM Endurance World Cup Superstock category on a Honda Fireblade.
The record 29-time Isle of Man TT winner also rode a Hawk Racing Honda Fireblade on the roads last year and set his personal best lap at 135.97mph, which was a new Superbike TT lap record.
Dunlop, though, will be BMW-mounted on an M1000RR machine at Le Mans in France in April, where he will ride for Team LRP Poland along with Danny Webb and Frenchman Enzo Boulom.
The 35-year-old will miss the 8 Hours of Spa round at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium in June, which clashes with the TT. Polish rider Marek Szkopek will replace Dunlop for the event.
Run by Bartlomiej Lewandowski, the leading independent team has strengthened its long-standing collaboration with the Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, which will serve as the squad’s base with students and graduates once again forming a strong part of the pit crew for the EWC races in 2025.
“We are thrilled to return to action in the most demanding motorcycle racing series in the world,” said team principal Lewandowski, who is the highest ranked Polish rider in EWC history.
“The past year gave us the opportunity to prepare thoroughly for the 2025 season. We’re coming back with a new, fast, and experienced line-up that we’re incredibly proud of, as well as new partners.
“We’re excited to welcome our new, yet highly experienced, riders. Danny brings a wealth of experience from grand prix racing and the FIM EWC, while Michael is a true legend and an extraordinary athlete whose determination inspires everyone.
“I’m confident we will leverage our collective experience and have a highly successful season together.”
Dunlop is yet to reveal his machinery for the 2025 road racing season, although he tested a Milwaukee Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport machine at Jerez in Spain last week.
Last year, he experimented with a British Triumph 765, which he rode at the North West 200, twice finishing on the rostrum.
Dunlop continued riding the 765cc machine in practice at the TT before reverting to his MD Racing Yamaha R6 and winning both Supersport races.
Meanwhile, Irish road racing could return in the Republic of Ireland this year after a three-year absence.
Rising insurance costs prevented any races from taking place since 2022, but a new organisation has secured cover for three races, with Walderstown, Faugheen and Athea slated to run this season.
The Road Race Alliance of Ireland broke away from governing body Motorcycling Ireland last autumn and has been working behind the scenes to bring events back in the south.
In a statement yesterday, the RRAI said: “The work undertaken by the RRAI and the Clubs has resulted in an insurance policy that covers Road Races here in the South, and while there is significant work ahead, we feel that it is wholly achievable.
“At present we can confirm that several road races will take place in 2025, Walderstown, the Faugheen 50, and the return of Athea in Co. Limerick, however we are exploring other events for 2025, and we will update you all in due course with the confirmed dates.”
The Cookstown 100 (April 25-26) will be the first Irish road race of the season in Co Tyrone, with the North West 200, Tandragee 100 and Armoy ‘Race of Legends’ also taking place in Northern Ireland this year.