Motorsport: National road racing is ‘finished’ says Isle of Man TT record holder Michael Dunlop

Dunlop’s achievement at the summer’s TT was feted in his home town over the weekend, with the 35-year-old calling the celebration a “privilege”.

“That’s what we do this game for, to see that reaction,” he said.

“We don’t do it for recognition, but a lot of people doing other sports, if they’re successful, there’s knighthoods, MBEs, OBEs, whatever it may be, but we just get sort of brushed under the carpet.

“The town doing this is great. It shows some people are still thinking of us.”

His record-breaking feat at the Isle of Man has certainly raised his profile across the road racing world.

“You’re getting recognition from different parts of the world, Australia, New Zealand.

“You’re getting pictures sent to you from bars, and even if you walked into the bar, the people would never know who you are, but there’s a picture on the wall of you on a bike. 

“It’s cool because when I went to some of those different places, there’s pictures of Joey on the bar and now you’re seeing this.”