Michael Dunlop celebrates on the podium after clinching TT win number 33 with a Supertwins success
Michael Dunlop has been honored as the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year for the third time in his career.
The 36-year-old racer received the prestigious Joey Dunlop Trophy at the annual gala awards ceremony on Friday evening, recognizing his continued success on road racing circuits throughout Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Dunlop added four more victories at the IOM TT – two in the Supersport class and two in the Supertwins category – further extending his record as the event’s most successful competitor with a total of 33 wins.
The Ballymoney native also ended a nine-year winless streak at the North West 200, securing a hat-trick of victories on the challenging 8.97-mile Triangle circuit.
He achieved triumphs in both the Supersport and Superstock races on Thursday night, and followed that up with a victory in the second Superbike race of the meeting on Saturday.
Dunlop also secured double wins at the Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100 Irish national road race events.
Dunlop’s thrilling Superbike victory at the North West 200 was recognized as the Race of the Year.
Jonathan Rea, who concluded his distinguished World Superbike career at the end of the 2025 season, was presented with a Special Recognition Award in honor of his six consecutive titles in the series from 2015 to 2020.
Donegal rider Rhys Irwin was named Short Circuit Rider of the Year after his British Supersport championship victory, while Ulster Superbike champion and Sunflower Trophy winner Carl Phillips was recognized as the Short Circuit Rider of the Year on Irish circuits.
Casey O’Gorman, who debuted in the Moto3 GP series at the world level, was selected as Young Rider of the Year, and Emma McQuaid received the Female Trailblazer prize.
Last year, Emma made history by becoming the first female to represent Ireland in a mixed-gender Nations team in Quad Cross of Nations, marking a significant milestone for both Emma and motorsport as a whole.
The Joey 25 event, held in Ballymoney in May to celebrate the life and racing career of Joey Dunlop on the 25th anniversary of his passing, was awarded Event of the Year.
Davey Todd was crowned King of the Roads following a season that included a treble at the North West 200, his first Superbike TT win, a Southern 100 Solo Championship success, and a Macau Grand Prix victory.
Cork racing outfit Team 109 received the Team of the Year award after becoming the first Irish team to win a world championship in short circuits – the World Supersport 300 series – with 17-year-old Benat Fernandez as their rider.
Former British 250cc champion Adrian Coates was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Paul Cranston of Dungannon received a Services to Motorcycling award, recognizing his long-standing involvement in the sport on both roads and short circuits.
David Allingham received the BSB Breakthrough Award after a highly impressive campaign in the British Superstock series, where he finished as runner-up and secured a double victory at the Brands Hatch round in late July.
Cole McCullough was named Off Road Rider of the Year after achieving his first grand prix motocross win.