By Every picture has a story behind it, everyone tells the true tale of a topic, person, event, momentous moment in history, this action shot of Michael Dunlop from Tuesday evening’s practice session at TT 2014 is no different.
You could tell from spectating at the top of Bray Hill, St Ninians Crossroads, that the works BMW steed that the Ballymoney racer was piloting looked a handful. At the same time you knew the potential was there for the high profile combination to soon become formidable.
This was to prove the case and some for the remainder of TT 2014, as following bold decisions including switching from Metzeler to Dunlop tyres, Dunlop proved peerless aboard the Hawk Racing prepared S1000RR BMW.
Dominant within the Dainese Superbike race, the showpiece, blue riband Pokerstars Senior race saw him provide BMW Motorrad with a first feature class TT success in 75 years.
Additionally you could tell that Senior race success was made all the more sweeter for Dunlop, given that in the winter of 2013 he made the surprise decision to part company with the official Honda team.
Many stated following this decision that he would struggle on the BMW, it wouldn’t be the best all round package for the Mountain Course. Well he proved the many wrong and how, showcasing then and on multiple occasions since, making the impossible, possible.
I must conclude this article with an interesting fact about the featured picture. The picture would go onto grace the feature screen on the Eurosport stage at Motorcycle Live, on no less than TT day.
Words by Stevie Rial
