Dunlop joins Milenco by Padgett's for Classic TT lightweight race

He'll ride same machine Bruce Anstey previously took victory on

Michael Dunlop MBE will join forces with the Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles team for the 2026 Classic TT.

The 36-time TT winner will ride the team's 250cc RS Honda in the Lightweight Classic TT Race on Wednesday, 26 August.

It will be the same machine that TT legend, Bruce Anstey rode to victory in three races in the lightweight class between 2016 and 2019.

Dunlop heads into 2026 as the defending Lightweight Classic TT champion having won last year's showdown on the Snaefell Mountain Course on his own MD Racing machinery by juts over 47 seconds.

Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles Team Owner, Clive Padgett, says: "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."

Michael will follow in the footsteps of his father, Robert Dunlop, who competed on Padgett's machinery in 1994.

The Classic TT will run alongside the Manx Grand Prix for a near two-week period from Sunday, 16 August to Friday, 28 August.

You can view the full schedule HERE.