Southern 100: Michael Dunlop Battles Technical Woes in Pursuit of Championship Glory
As the Southern 100 roars into its milestone 70th anniversary on the Isle of Man, all eyes are once again on Michael Dunlop – but the Ballymoney ace isn’t having it easy.
Dunlop, who last claimed the coveted Solo Championship title here in 2016 aboard a BMW, returns to the Billown Course with a familiar machine – the MD Racing BMW Superstock – and adds a Milwaukee Ducati Supersport weapon to his garage. However, his week has been far from smooth sailing.
“We’re constantly chasing glitches,” Dunlop admitted, visibly frustrated yet undeterred. “We just keep working away at them, but the issues keep piling on. It’s hard work, no doubt about that – but we’ve been dealt the hand, and we’ll play it.”
For Dunlop, the Southern 100 has always been more than just another road race. It’s fast, tight, unforgiving – and steeped in tradition. But reclaiming the Solo Championship crown won’t be a solo affair.
2023 champ Davey Todd is back, hoping to repeat his narrow victory over Dunlop from last year. Dean Harrison – fresh off a double in the Superstock class at the Isle of Man TT – is another serious contender. The Yorkshireman has made the Southern 100 a yearly pilgrimage since 2012, racking up three Solo Championship titles along the way.
“I put a big effort in to get here last year and I’m doing the same this year,” said Harrison. “The plan is to compete on both Supersport and the big bike again – it’s a proper rider’s circuit, and it demands your best.”
Practice sessions kicked off Monday evening, setting the tone for what promises to be a week of wheel-to-wheel battles, last-lap lunges, and relentless pursuit of Southern 100 glory. The main event, the Solo Championship race, is scheduled for Thursday evening – and despite the mechanical setbacks, you’d be a fool to count Dunlop out.
Because if there’s one thing the road racing world knows about Michael Dunlop – it’s that he doesn’t go down without a fight.