Michael Dunlop to return to Macau Grand Prix in November

Michael Dunlop

Eleven-times TT winner Michael Dunlop is to make his second visit to the Macau Grand Prix in November after sitting out the event for two years.

Dunlop will ride a BMW Superbike, but faces stiff opposition from a quality field, including record eight-time winner Michael Rutter on a Yamaha.

Three-time winner Stuart Easton and last year's victor Ian Hutchinson will ride for Paul Bird's Kawasaki outfit.

A total of 32 riders from nine different countries will take part.

Other Northern Ireland entrants include Crumlin's Stephen Thompson on a BMW, Jamie Hamilton on the Wilson Craig Honda and Lee Johnston on an East Coast Construction Honda.

Saintfield's Davy Morgan rides a Honda for CMS Racing, while Ireland's Steve Heneghan returns and Michael Sweeney from Skerries makes his debut.

English quartet Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, Martin Jessopp and Steve Mercer should all challenge for top leaderboard positions, while Manxman Dan Kneen joins Sweeney in the Burrows Engineering Kawasaki ranks.

A strong international contingent includes Austrian Horst Saiger and American Jeremy Toye.