Michael Dunlop claim๊s that winning big road races, including the Isle of Man TT, is “getting 🦋harder”.

D💛unlop smashed the all-time win record at the TT last year, eclipsing his uncle Joey’s tally of 26 which had stood since 2000.

Heܫ has amassed 29 and will be back at the TT t🥂his year to add to his legendary status - but has warned that the challenge is getting more difficult because other riders are blending road racing with short circuit racing.

“I don’t know, the job is getting harder obviously because a lot of people riding sho♚rt circuits are riding the roads now,” Dunlop was quoted by .

“It’s a lot harder for somebody like me because wh♏en you’re riding a bike day in, day out, it’s easy.

“But when you’re somebody who only rides maybe North West, TT and the odd bit here and there, you’re relying on a lotꦯ of raw talent to be quick straightaway.

“Those boys are quick because they🥂’re doing domestic championships and fast💫 at that. So yeah, I knuckled down."

Michael Dunlop 'always been the underdog'

Despite his record-breaking around the Mountain Course, Dunlop insis🦋ts he canno♛t be tagged as a favourite.

“A couple of years ago people said I didn't have Superbike race wins༒ in me anymore so I knuckled down again," he said.

“I’ve always been the underdog, always ha👍ve been, but I’ve known in my ab🌼ility.

“There’s a fine line of being cocky and confident and it’s nice having a little bit of both, because you become a cocky confident person and that’s something that I’ve always known, that I’ve the ability to ride mo𒀰torbikes.”

Dunlop set his fastest Isle of Man TT lap last year on the Hawk Racing Honda, clocking 13🍬ౠ5.970mph.

He began his 2025 with a ride at the Daytona 200 in Florida, United Stౠates, where he finished ninth.

Dunlop will find his old rivals at the TT💞 again this year.

Peter Hickman and Davey Todd, who won races last year,ꦫ will be b🍷ack. Legends like John McGuinness will battle on.

But Dun🥀lop knows he must keep an eye on a newer g🔥eneration whose short circuit experience could give them an edge.