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Post by El Loco on Nov 6, 2013 9:30:36 GMT
 Looks like he couldn't agree terms of a contract? More details HERE. There's been rumours floating around that he might even be taking a year out/quitting which would be a massive loss if true. Hopefully he's got something else in the pipeline........ M. 
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Nov 7, 2013 22:10:22 GMT
I'm surprised they even offered him a contract after him crying sabotage by Honda at the TT this year and I also notice in the article that Mc Guinness hasn't signed a contract yet  |
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Post by El Loco on Nov 8, 2013 13:07:07 GMT
It could be argued Micky D hasn't helped himself with some of his comments for sure but Honda must have been bloody keen to hold on to him regardless. Let's be honest - he's the brightest talent around and only 24. It would be a real shame if he's not on the grid next year. I think McPint will be on the Honda and the contract singing will be at or just after Macau. He's still the man to beat in the Senior TT and he's getting ever closer to Joey's tally. Why would he try elsewhere? M.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Nov 19, 2013 21:29:54 GMT
Looks like M. Dunlop having a break in 2014
To let everyone know the situation regarding the 2014 racing season.
There has been much speculation about my plans for next year and I have decided to let all my loyal sponsors, team members and fans know exactly where I am at currently.
I have not signed any contracts for 2014 mainly due to various complications attached to each offer put to me.
I am disappointed to be in this situation, especially after the tremendous season I enjoyed in 2013 and the success I achieved.
However, I am as keen as ever to go race motorbikes but sadly at this moment in time I will not be racing in 2014.
If something materialises I might consider to come back if am ready and it's the right package but till that i hope to be back in 2015 or if not 2016.
I have worked extremely hard to get to this level in road racing and unless I feel I have the right equipment and structure under me I won’t race at all.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me through thick and thin there is to many to name but I will see them to express my thanks and I hope we’ll be back on the top step as soon as I am back.Many thanks Michael Dunlop
MD Racing
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Post by El Loco on Nov 19, 2013 22:15:54 GMT
Shame if we don't see him next year. One thing's for sure - road racing won't stop without him but it will be all the less competitive though. My thoughts anyway, M.
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Post by El Loco on Nov 22, 2013 18:42:05 GMT
Well Michael's intentions for 2014 have been debated far and wide over the last couple of weeks but there was nothing from the fella himself.....until now: " Michael Dunlop says "everything will have to be right" for him to compete in the 2014 road racing season as the chances of him participating next year continue to appear in major doubt.
Dunlop won four Isle of Man TT races this year but he has been unable to agree a contract extension with Honda.
"At the end of the day it's my life on the line," Dunlop, 24, told BBC Sport NI in a wide-ranging interview.
Dunlop also admitted he has struggled for motivation in recent months.
"At this moment in time, nothing has come up that fulfils what I want to do.
"Also, I need to make sure that I'm going to enjoy myself so those factors are really my reasoning."
Dunlop made clear that he has not retired from the sport, adding that he had attempted to "lie low" in recent months but that his high profile had led to others "making a big deal" about his reluctance to commit to a 2014 deal.
"There's a difference between retirement and thinking if it's not going to work (for 2014), that it's not going to work.
"That's why I didn't want to make a big deal of it but everybody else seems to have done that."
Dunlop brushed aside suggestions that money was the main reason why he has failed to conclude a deal with the Honda factory team or that he has been attempting to generate publicity by prevaricating on his 2014 plans.
"It's definitely not about money. When you are dealing with contracts (in road racing), you are arguing over a couple of hundred pounds.
"Also, I don't need any more publicity. I do my talking on the track."
The Ballymoney man acknowledged that he has had to battle with coming down from the highs of his motorcycling triumphs.
"I need to make sure that I can get from the high of motorcycling and the lows to have a normal life too.
"I love racing motorbikes and I will never hide from the sport.
"But at the end of the day, I need to find a level between racing motorbikes and having a normal life.
"I give everything to motorcycle racing. There are no holidays or no sun. It's racing, racing, racing.
"You can't go on in life like that. I'm a young man and I want to do different things. I want to get my life sorted."
Dunlop hails from road racing's most famous family dynasty but one which has endured tragedy with his own father Robert dying at the 2008 North West 200 meeting, some eight years after the death of his legendary uncle Joey at a race in Estonia.
But with the sport in his blood, Michael Dunlop admits that he will almost certainly return to the sport in the future, even if he does opt to sit out the 2014 campaign." Seems to me the lad has got quite a few things going around that head of his and he's quite rightly sorting himself out in his own time. The most important thing has got to be him feeling right about racing before getting on a bike so, if that takes until 2015/16 then so be it in my book. Hope he gets everything sorted. M.
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Post by El Loco on Jan 25, 2014 8:43:39 GMT
The rumours are spreading thick and fast: It appears that MD might have been testing a BMW this week in Italy? Apparently he's also driving around in one of their cars as well so he's got to be racing a Beemer - right? 2+2=5 comes to mind but then again.......  I do think there's background work going on by MD to try and sort something out for this year whether that's just the internationals or the odd national but it's all been a bit odd don't ya think? M.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jan 25, 2014 20:48:47 GMT
Apparently his contract with Honda doesn't end until February, so I think that's why he's keeping quiet about BMW.
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Post by El Loco on Jan 25, 2014 23:19:09 GMT
Apparently his contract with Honda doesn't end until February, so I think that's why he's keeping quiet about BMW. Good point mate - must admit I never thought of that scenario. Hopefully that's the case and we'll hear about MD's plans on a Beemer - should be interesting to see! M. |
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Post by El Loco on Feb 3, 2014 21:35:03 GMT
Apparently his contract with Honda doesn't end until February, so I think that's why he's keeping quiet about BMW. Looks like you were right mate: Dunlop will race BMW at the TTStill, it is an exclusive by Marc Potter (ex MCN fame) but I think something official may be coming out tomorrow? The bit about BMW being nervous made me smile though..... M. |
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Post by El Loco on Feb 4, 2014 18:04:08 GMT
Apparently his contract with Honda doesn't end until February, so I think that's why he's keeping quiet about BMW. Looks like you were right mate: Dunlop will race BMW at the TTStill, it is an exclusive by Marc Potter (ex MCN fame) but I think something official may be coming out tomorrow? The bit about BMW being nervous made me smile though..... M. Looks like another false alarm with MD apparently enjoying Potter's so called exclusive...  It's all become rather dull to be honest and I think I'll wait and see who lines up where. M. |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 5, 2014 12:46:51 GMT
Maybe he'll announce something at the Belfast bike show this weekend.
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Post by El Loco on Feb 6, 2014 9:15:57 GMT
Maybe but I've lost a fair bit of interest in it all. People like to gossip etc and it's probably not MD's fault but the whole 'will he, won't he' saga is just boring now. M.
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It's all become rather dull to be honest and I think I'll wait and see who lines up where.