13-Time Isle Of Man TT Winner Michael Dunlop Reveals His 2017 Race Machine

Last year, Dunlop also set a new outright lap record at just under 134mph at the 37-mile long Mountain course. He also won Superbike and Senior races in the same week. He will also race a Suzuki under his own MD Racing banner in the Superstock class.

He said, "I was chatting with Steve [Hicken - team manager] for a while, and obviously we've worked together a lot before. With the new bike coming it's been a bit different, and we had to gather up exactly what was happening.

"We just needed to see what was going to be able to happen and to see where we were both going to be at this time. I know Steve and I know Stuart though, as people, and I know they can take a new bike and get it right. This is a good team, and there's a good link with Yoshimura. It's going to be interesting this year.

"I've been helping the team build my own bikes, and it'll be good to have a run around at Mallory for a shakedown before we go to Spain."

Bennetts Suzuki team manager, Steve Hicken, added: "We've known Michael for a long time and always wanted to work with him again this year, so we're really pleased we've been able to put a deal together.

"We've made good progress already with the development of the new GSX-R1000, and we know the potential is there with the bike. With a proven winner like Michael on board, there's no reason we can't be winning races right away. That's got to be the aim."

Dunlop will test the Suzuki race machine for the first time at Mallory Park (team's base) soon. After that, he'll test at Cartagena and Almeria in March 2017.