After months of speculation following the death of his brother William, Michael Dunlop has confirmed he has re-signed with Tyco BMW for the forthcoming season.

The 18-time TT winner is to ride the team’s new S1000RR Superbike this season and has targeted success at this year’s Superbike and Senior races at the TT. He is yet to confirm what machinery he will be on for the Superstock, Supersport and Lightweight races

The 29-year-old Ballymoney man won three races at last year’s meeting, riding a combination of Tyco machinery and his own MD Racing bikes, to take him to third place on the all-time winners board behind legends John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop.

Speaking about the deal, Dunlop commented: ‘I’m looking forward to working with the TAS Racing boys again this year.

‘We grabbed a Superbike TT win last year, which was a good start and the goal this year will be to go after both the Superbike and Senior TT wins in the island. BMW has launched a new bike, which I should be riding in a few weeks’ time.

‘With the added improvements to the package and a second season with the same team, we should be in a good place to go after both the big wins in the island.’

Philip Neill, Tyco BMW’s team principal, was also delighted with the deal: ‘It’s great for TAS Racing to secure another season with Michael and together with our partners BMW and Tyco, we are looking forward to a successful season on the all-new BMW S1000RR.

‘It was always our plan to continue with Michael, however it was important we took some time together to consider the best way to approach 2019, and we look forward to announcing further details soon.’