{"id":1899617,"date":"2026-04-23T08:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T05:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899617"},"modified":"2026-04-23T08:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T05:45:15","slug":"michael-dunlop-a-bit-behind-the-times-with-tt-preparation-on-ducati-superbike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899617","title":{"rendered":"Michael Dunlop \u201ca bit behind the times\u201d with TT preparation on Ducati Superbike"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Michael Dunlop \u201ca bit behind the times\u201d with TT preparation on Ducati Superbike<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Michael Dunlop says he\u2019s got less time to prepare the Ducati V4 for the Isle of Man TT than he would have liked<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Duncan <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T09:45:15+01:00\">23 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Michael Dunlop, 2026 Oulton Park BSB Test. Credit: Ian Hopgood Photography.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Ian Hopgood Photography<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop says he is \u201ca little bit behind the times\u201d to prepare his new Ducati V4 Panigale for the 2026 roads season due to the late arrival of the bike.<\/p>\n<p>The 33-time TT winner grabbed headlines earlier this week when he announced that he will be bringing Ducati to the big bike classes in 2026 on the roads.<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop will have Ducati machinery in the Supersport class, with which he won both races at the TT last year, and swaps BMW for the Italian brand\u2019s V4 Panigale in the big bike races.<\/p>\n<p>He began testing on the V4 this week at Oulton Park alongside the British Superbike field, but admits he is dealing with \u201ca completely different beast of an animal\u201d to what he was used to before.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverything\u2019s good,\u201d he told <em>BBC Northern Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI feel good. This here\u2019s just a completely different beast of an animal to what I\u2019m used to.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd I think that anybody who hasn\u2019t ridden a Ducati is finding that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6f82594644a8840a6af042875a60713398297e728148c69ad6743ebe00a890b3\">  New Ducati rumours surface for Michael Dunlop\u2019s 2026 Isle of Man TT plans   Davey Todd learns damage from BSB crash as he returns to Classic TT <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI was talking to Kyle [Ryde] earlier, he loves his, but he just says it\u2019s a complete different game plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe just said he was fortunate enough he was in Spain riding a stock bike of one of them so he could learn the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s Superbike deal came together late last year, too, with the TT\u2019s all-time leader in race wins left with just two weeks before the North West 200.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f103d44af3fc517360e8e5151977ded1137394a784caad770fe8a73588b81437\">  Davey Todd hints at sandbagging on Prosperity Racing Ducati at Classic TT   Manx GP and Classic TT qualifying results (Session 1) <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;When you get something like this, the level changes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a very technical bike and there&#8217;s a lot of stuff going on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully, we can push to get ourselves in a good place.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s one of those where you were hoping this project would be a lot earlier, but it hasn&#8217;t so we&#8217;re left a little bit behind the times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully it doesn&#8217;t take us too long to get in a good, comfortable place.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Asked if he relishes a challenge, Dunlop replied: \u201cYeah, well I seem to have no choice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know the project, the bike\u2019s good. That\u2019s a fact. The bike has got stacks of potential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, I\u2019m looking forward to getting it [on track] and hopefully at the North West we can make it fit into place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s wins last year on the V2 marked the first for Ducati at the TT in 30 years, while the brand hasn\u2019t had big bike race podiums since 2003.<\/p>\n<p>He was due to ride the V4 Panigale at the TT in 2022, before the deal with PBM fell through at the 11th hour.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Ducati<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Storm Stacey to make road racing debut at 2026 North West 200<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/mlav_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-72a55dd1eb131cfc50ada41d046471dd8a0fd9a2dfbb81328f41279204bdb38e\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/unnamed%20%2826%29.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Duncan<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Head of Editorial<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<div>Lewis joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having been a journalist for five years covering MotoGP for the Motorsport Network. In February of 2026, he became Head of Editorial.\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-2eff6bc0d8b24154b673e44ce1056456fa914ec9f6c10cc79dee03c004d62253\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Michael Dunlop sets record as he claims pole at Tandragee 100<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1751047941\"> 27\/06\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-06\/fp-y6yrxmau8_i3.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Michael Dunlop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>TAS Racing boss explains team\u2019s road racing withdrawal<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1733914743\"> 11\/12\/24<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2024-12\/a_DUCATI_MCL_24_SOCIAL-202.png?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Philip Neill, 2024 Motorcycle Live. Credit: Ducati.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Michael Dunlop makes Ducati 916 switch for Manx GP<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1723025666\"> 07\/08\/24<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/field\/image\/Dunlop%20win%20close%20up.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"IOMTT, Isle of MAn TT, 2023, Supertwin, race1. Dunlop, Browne, Coward\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Dunlop joins forces with PBM Ducati for 2020<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1583014464\"> 29\/02\/20<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/field\/image\/md_0.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Michael Dunlop, VisionTrack Ducati, \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Seeley takes on North West 200 with PBM Ducati V4 R<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1551381974\"> 28\/02\/19<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/image_importer\/WSBK\/gg770951.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Michael Dunlop \u201ca bit behind the times\u201d with TT preparation on Ducati Superbike\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> Road Racing  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NW200: Jessopp sets 208mph top speed record<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1337089930\"> 15\/05\/12<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/original\/AU754569.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Michael Dunlop \u201ca bit behind the times\u201d with TT preparation on Ducati Superbike\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Michael Dunlop says he\u2019s got less time to prepare the Ducati V4 for the Isle of Man TT than he would have liked<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop says he is \u201ca little bit behind the times\u201d to prepare his new Ducati V4 Panigale for the 2026 roads season due to the late arrival of the bike.<\/p>\n<p>The 33-time TT winner grabbed headlines earlier this week when he announced that he will be bringing Ducati to the big bike classes in 2026 on the roads.<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop will have Ducati machinery in the Supersport class, with which he won both races at the TT last year, and swaps BMW for the Italian brand\u2019s V4 Panigale in the big bike races.<\/p>\n<p>He began testing on the V4 this week at Oulton Park alongside the British Superbike field, but admits he is dealing with \u201ca completely different beast of an animal\u201d to what he was used to before.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverything\u2019s good,\u201d he told <em>BBC Northern Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI feel good. This here\u2019s just a completely different beast of an animal to what I\u2019m used to.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd I think that anybody who hasn\u2019t ridden a Ducati is finding that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6f82594644a8840a6af042875a60713398297e728148c69ad6743ebe00a890b3\">  New Ducati rumours surface for Michael Dunlop\u2019s 2026 Isle of Man TT plans   Davey Todd learns damage from BSB crash as he returns to Classic TT <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI was talking to Kyle [Ryde] earlier, he loves his, but he just says it\u2019s a complete different game plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe just said he was fortunate enough he was in Spain riding a stock bike of one of them so he could learn the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s Superbike deal came together late last year, too, with the TT\u2019s all-time leader in race wins left with just two weeks before the North West 200.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f103d44af3fc517360e8e5151977ded1137394a784caad770fe8a73588b81437\">  Davey Todd hints at sandbagging on Prosperity Racing Ducati at Classic TT   Manx GP and Classic TT qualifying results (Session 1) <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;When you get something like this, the level changes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a very technical bike and there&#8217;s a lot of stuff going on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully, we can push to get ourselves in a good place.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s one of those where you were hoping this project would be a lot earlier, but it hasn&#8217;t so we&#8217;re left a little bit behind the times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully it doesn&#8217;t take us too long to get in a good, comfortable place.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Asked if he relishes a challenge, Dunlop replied: \u201cYeah, well I seem to have no choice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know the project, the bike\u2019s good. That\u2019s a fact. The bike has got stacks of potential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, I\u2019m looking forward to getting it [on track] and hopefully at the North West we can make it fit into place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s wins last year on the V2 marked the first for Ducati at the TT in 30 years, while the brand hasn\u2019t had big bike race podiums since 2003.<\/p>\n<p>He was due to ride the V4 Panigale at the TT in 2022, before the deal with PBM fell through at the 11th hour.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Isle of Man TT legend Michael Dunlop says he is \u201ca little bit behind the times\u201d to prepare his new Ducati V4 Panigale for the 2026 roads season due to the late arrival of the bike.<\/p>\n<p>The 33-time TT winner grabbed headlines earlier this week when he announced that he will be bringing Ducati to the big bike classes in 2026 on the roads.<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop will have Ducati machinery in the Supersport class, with which he won both races at the TT last year, and swaps BMW for the Italian brand\u2019s V4 Panigale in the big bike races.<\/p>\n<p>He began testing on the V4 this week at Oulton Park alongside the British Superbike field, but admits he is dealing with \u201ca completely different beast of an animal\u201d to what he was used to before.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverything\u2019s good,\u201d he told <em>BBC Northern Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI feel good. This here\u2019s just a completely different beast of an animal to what I\u2019m used to.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd I think that anybody who hasn\u2019t ridden a Ducati is finding that.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6f82594644a8840a6af042875a60713398297e728148c69ad6743ebe00a890b3\">  New Ducati rumours surface for Michael Dunlop\u2019s 2026 Isle of Man TT plans   Davey Todd learns damage from BSB crash as he returns to Classic TT <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI was talking to Kyle [Ryde] earlier, he loves his, but he just says it\u2019s a complete different game plan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe just said he was fortunate enough he was in Spain riding a stock bike of one of them so he could learn the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s Superbike deal came together late last year, too, with the TT\u2019s all-time leader in race wins left with just two weeks before the North West 200.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f103d44af3fc517360e8e5151977ded1137394a784caad770fe8a73588b81437\">  Davey Todd hints at sandbagging on Prosperity Racing Ducati at Classic TT   Manx GP and Classic TT qualifying results (Session 1) <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;When you get something like this, the level changes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a very technical bike and there&#8217;s a lot of stuff going on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully, we can push to get ourselves in a good place.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s one of those where you were hoping this project would be a lot earlier, but it hasn&#8217;t so we&#8217;re left a little bit behind the times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully it doesn&#8217;t take us too long to get in a good, comfortable place.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Asked if he relishes a challenge, Dunlop replied: \u201cYeah, well I seem to have no choice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know the project, the bike\u2019s good. That\u2019s a fact. The bike has got stacks of potential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, I\u2019m looking forward to getting it [on track] and hopefully at the North West we can make it fit into place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dunlop\u2019s wins last year on the V2 marked the first for Ducati at the TT in 30 years, while the brand hasn\u2019t had big bike race podiums since 2003.<\/p>\n<p>He was due to ride the V4 Panigale at the TT in 2022, before the deal with PBM fell through at the 11th hour.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/rr\/news\/1093301\/1\/michael-dunlop-bit-behind-times-tt-preparation-ducati-superbike&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_oulton-park-test_16247.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Michael Dunlop \u201ca bit behind the times\u201d with TT preparation on Ducati Superbike Michael Dunlop says he\u2019s got less time to prepare the Ducati V4 for the Isle of Man TT than he would have liked Lewis Duncan 23 Apr 2026 Share Michael Dunlop, 2026 Oulton Park BSB Test. Credit: Ian Hopgood [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1899617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899617\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}