'No reason why I can't be at the front' - Dunlop

Michael Dunlop has won a record 29 Isle of Man TT races

Michael Dunlop says "there is no reason why he can't be at the front" as he competes for wins at this year's North West 200 international road races.

The 36-year-old has five North West wins to his name but is aiming to end a nine-year drought since his last victory over the Triangle circuit in 2016.

Dunlop will ride BMW machinery in the Superbike and Superstock classes and a Ducati V2 in the Supersport category.

"I'm looking forward to it, the two big bikes and the Supersport, just to see where we are at," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm going to give it a go, that's for sure. The big bike's very unknown but there's no reason it shouldn't be on the money. There's no reason why I can't be at the front.

"Obviously being local and from my dad [Robert, a 15-time NW200 winner] and Joey's era there's a lot of hardcore fans round here and I'd like to put on a show for them."

Last year Dunlop arrived at the North West still suffering from the effects of a wrist injury sustained in a spill at the Cookstown 100 but still managed five third-place finishes and a fourth position.

The previous year he managed podium finishes with second and third places.

"It's been frustrating. The last few years I've been knocking on the door, although last year I was struggling with the injury. I could do two or three laps and then I fell apart.

"This year with the weather being good hopefully I can get off to a good start and get as much track time as I can.

"We've built a brand new V2 Ducati for here. There are going to be a lot of guys looking to have a go and I'm going to be one of them."