Ulster Grand Prix: TT hero Ian Hutchinson to race at Dundrod

Ian Hutchinson lapped at over 132mph at the Isle of Man TT in June

Isle of Man TT hat-trick hero Ian Hutchinson is to return to the Ulster Grand Prix in August, having competed only once at the event in the last four years because of ongoing injury issues.

The Yorkshire rider won both Supersport races and the Superstock event at the TT, and also finished second in the Superbike race on the Isle of Man.

The 35-year-old will compete in all three of those classes at Dundrod.

Hutchinson has five Ulster GP victories to date, including a treble in 2010.

He has two successes to his name so far in both the Superbike and Superstock classes, with one Supersport triumph, and will again ride for the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki outfit and Traction Control Yamaha.

Hutchinson underwent 30 operations after suffering compound fractures of his fibula and tibia in a crash at Silverstone in 2010.

Last year he rode for the Milwaukee Yamaha outfit but did not feature at the top of the leaderboard in any of the main races.

"I'm really looking forward to the Ulster, it's one of my favourite circuits and the one I've spent the longest away from with my injury," said the Bingley man.

"I had some great results at the TT and I went really well at Dundrod five years ago, but I think I'm riding better than ever now. The target is to get back on the top step in all of my classes."

"It's always really competitive at Dundrod, so I know I'll have a fight for it, but I've never been afraid of a fight before. I think there's definitely more to come from the Superbike and it's a really fast bike. I just can't wait to get going."

Among the competition at the annual international road race will be Michael Dunlop, Tyco BMW pair Guy Martin and William Dunlop, and British Supersport title challenger Glenn Irwin, who made his debut last year.

Circuit lap record holder Bruce Anstey, young stars Dean Harrison, Dan Kneen and Lee Johnston, plus fastest-ever newcomer Peter Hickman, are also set to be part of the line-up at the County Antrim course.