Michael Dunlop has spoken about the pressure of racing with his legendary last name.
The Dunlops are a road racing dynasty and Michael’s father and uncle were icons in their own right.
This year at the Isle of Man TT, Michael emotionally broke his uncle Joey’s 24-year winning record.
“We come from a small town but a big family in road racing,” said Michael Dunlop. Newsletter.
“We’re trying to keep him at the top, and that’s what we’re talking about.”
He said of the all-time TT winning record held by his uncle Joey: “It’s more of a personal thing to try to keep it in the family more than anything else, but to surpass that is a privilege.
“We’re no better than Joey, we never perceived that, and with our name it hasn’t been an easy lifestyle.
“So, for me, keeping the name at the top is what keeps me going.
“It’s something everyone strives for and this year, winning the first Supersport race to equal Joey’s record was a huge thing.”
Michael equaled Joey’s record of 26 TT wins before surpassing him and finishing the annual event with a total of 29 to become the most successful rider in its history.
A bizarre problem with his helmet briefly prevented him from claiming the record, but it was not denied him.
“I honestly thought I had the Superbike race too, I was in the lead and then my visor malfunctioned so I just thought it would never be broken,” Michael said.
“But we came back and the boys worked hard to get us on the grid and pushed again, and to break that was more about keeping the Dunlop name.”
The Dunlop family has a total of 60 Isle of Man TT wins.
Michael’s total is 29, his uncle Joey has won 26 and his father Robert has won five.
Joey and Robert Dunlop died after road racing accidents, but their legacy lives on.
Michael Dunlop is expected to return to the Mountain Course in 2025 where he will be able to further extend his victory total.