TAS team set to link up with BMW for road race season

Guy Martin and William Dunlop are set to retain their rides with the TAS team

The Northern Ireland-based TAS Suzuki team are set to run BMW bikes at the main international road races in 2015.

The Moneymore outfit, who have fielded Suzuki machinery for many years, are expected to re-sign William Dunlop and Guy Martin for next year.

Michael Dunlop rode BMW Superbike and Superstock bikes for the Buildbase Hawk BMW team this year, but now appears to be without a ride for next season.

The 25-year-old won the 2014 Superbike, Senior and Superstock TTs on BMWs.

He also won one of the Supersport races on a 600cc Honda to complete his second successive four-timer at the Isle of Man event.

The younger of the Dunlop siblings also won a Superbike race at the North West 200, with his elder brother William winning the other 'big bike' outing for the TAS team.

William went on to record a third place finish in the second Supersport TT and was pushing for the race lead in the Senior TT as he lapped at 130.80mph.

Michael Dunlop rode a BMW at the international road races in 2014

Martin enjoyed a highly productive TT week with second and third place finishes in the Superbike and Senior.

The TAS team, run by Hector and Philip Neill, will campaign the BMW bikes at the North West, TT and Ulster Grand Prix, as well as the British Superbike Championship, ending their 14-year association with Japanese manufacturer Suzuki.

Michael Dunlop confirmed that he had lost his seat with BMW but added that he was "not overly concerned".

"I have 11 TT trophies on my mantelpiece and only three were won on a BMW, so I plan to be back with another manufacturer.

"I will wait and see what happens, but I can assure you I will be back to win lots more TTs and North West 200s next season and beyond."

Dunlop will also now not compete at next month's Macau Grand Prix.