Michael Dunlop reveals new team for 2026 Lightweight Classic TT race
Michael Dunlop will race for the Milenco by Padgetts team at the Classic TT later this month aboard the iconic RS250 Honda.
Michael Dunlop will pilot the same machine that Bruce Anstey recorded multiple victories with at the Classic TT, after agreeing to join the Milenco by Padgetts race team in the Lightweight category.
Dunlop will race the RS250 Honda, which became the first-ever 250cc machine to record a 120mph lap at the Classic TT. This was achieved by Anstey in 2017, one year after the Kiwi was victorious with the same bike. Anstey lapped the 37.73-mile course with an average lap speed of 120.475mph.
After missing the event in 2018 due to cancer, Anstey returned in 2019 to win for a third time in the Lightweight Classic TT class.
By joining the same team that Anstey rode for, Dunlop will now be looking to build upon his recent success in the class, after the Ballymoney rider secured victory in 2025.
That victory was achieved aboard Dunlop’s own MD Racing Honda machine, with the 36-time Isle of Man TT winner setting a best race lap of 115.285mph. Incredibly, Dunlop was victorious by nearly 50 seconds ahead of Ian Lougher.
The partnership between Dunlop and the Milenco by Padgetts race team is the first between both parties, however, the Dunlop name has previously been linked to the famous rainbow-liveried machine. Michael’s dad, Robert, rode the team’s 125cc and 250cc Hondas at the start of the 1994 season.
Speaking about the new collaboration, team boss Clive Padgett, said:
"I'm super excited to be working with Michael. We have so many happy memories of working with Robert towards the end of '93 and into '94, and it's a great connection with the Dunlop family.
“I almost feel like I'm cheating on Bruce a little bit because that bike has been his baby for so long! The team are working hard behind the scenes to get the bike ready for the Classic, we’re looking forward to a great week of racing.”
Confirmation of Dunlop riding a RS250 Honda comes just days after it was announced that he would be riding a Royal Enfield 500 in the Historic Senior Classic TT.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
