Cookstown 100: Michael Dunlop to make Tyco BMW debut at Orritor circuit

Michael Dunlop will compete for Tyco BMW at the North West 200, TT and Ulster GP

Michael Dunlop is set to make his debut for the Tyco BMW team at the Cookstown 100 road race over the Orritor circuit at the end of April.

The 15-times Isle of Man TT winner from Ballymoney will compete in both the Open and feature races on 27-28 April.

He will also take in the Supersport 600cc race on board his MD Racing PTR Honda.

Dunlop last competed at the event in 2015, when he retired in the 600 race and finished second in the Open class.

William Dunlop is also among the entries, the first Irish road race of the season.

Dunlop will campaign Yamaha machinery in the Supersport 600 and Open classes but faces stiff competition from an array of top road racing talent.

Last year's man of the meeting Derek McGee, Derek Sheils, James Cowton, Adam McLean and Michael Sweeney all compete.

Guy Martin will take in the classic event on his own 750 BSA Rocket three as part of a 19-race programme.

Sheils won the Feature and Open races at the meeting in both 2016 and 2017 while Mullingar McGee secured an impressive five second places last year.

Twelve months ago William Dunlop won Supersport 600cc race one, with McLean taking his first win in that class in race two.

Paul Jordan, Shaun Anderson and Dominic Herbertson are among the other notable entrants, while a list of 41 newcomers includes rising English star Davey Todd and former New Zealand 600cc champion Daniel Mettam.

Mettam, 21, recently finished third in the New Zealand Superbike championships.