- Dunlop shows a Gilera RSA 250 in the Metis livery in which Simoncelli became world champion in 2008
- A race outing has not been confirmed, but a start at the 2027 Classic TT is considered possible
- 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Simoncelli’s death
Michael Dunlop is the most successful rider in the history of the Tourist Trophy. The 37-year-old from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland has won 36 TT races. Now he is getting people talking away from the track. On his social media channels, he is showing himself with a two-stroke from Grand Prix racing that recalls one of the most popular racers of recent decades: Marco Simoncelli.
What did Michael Dunlop post with the Gilera?
Michael Dunlop has published photos showing him working on a Gilera 250 in Marco Simoncelli’s livery. He added just one short sentence: “Now for something special”.
A video followed in a second, separate post. In it, Dunlop starts the Gilera and revs the engine. The bike is fitted with slicks, treadless racing tyres that are only used on closed circuits. Dunlop has not revealed anything more so far.
Is the Gilera really Simoncelli’s bike?
Whether it is a motorcycle that Simoncelli himself raced has not yet been clarified. The Gilera may just as well simply wear his colours in his memory.
What is certain is that it is a Gilera RSA 250. The fairing shows the livery of the Metis team. Simoncelli raced in these colours in the 250cc class of the Grand Prix World Championship from 2006 to 2009. In 2008 he won the title with it, taking six wins and twelve podiums.
Does Michael Dunlop want to race the Gilera at the Classic TT?
There is no confirmation of a race outing. However, the pictures and the slicks suggest that Dunlop could race the Gilera in the future.
The obvious choice would be the 2027 Classic TT on the Isle of Man. There, the Lightweight class offers a category for 250cc two-strokes. It is equally possible that Dunlop will only ride the bike in a non-competitive parade lap. That, too, would be a tribute to Simoncelli.
How successful was Dunlop on a 250 in 2026?
Michael Dunlop won the Lightweight Classic TT in 2026 by more than three minutes. It was his second consecutive win in this class.
The 2026 Classic TT ran from 16 to 28 August alongside the Manx Grand Prix. Dunlop rode for the Milenco by Padgett’s team for the first time. He was given a Honda RS 250 with which Bruce Anstey had won three Lightweight races between 2016 and 2019. Before the race, team boss Clive Padgett recalled the connection to the Dunlop family. Michael’s father Robert had also raced for Padgett’s in 1994. Padgett said: “I almost feel like I’m cheating on Bruce a little bit because that bike has been his baby for so long!”
In the race, Dunlop initially fought a close duel with Mike Browne. After the first lap, only around half a second separated the two. A much faster pit stop then gave Dunlop a 13.1-second lead. Browne retired on the second lap at the Mountain Mile. Dunlop lapped at 119.081 mph on his final lap and won by 3 minutes and 3 seconds from Michael Sweeney. Rhys Hardisty finished third. At the same event, Dunlop also won the Formula One and Senior Classic TT on a Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD.
Who was Marco Simoncelli?
Marco Simoncelli was an Italian motorcycle racer who became 250cc world champion in 2008. He died in 2011 after a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
Simoncelli raced with the number 58 and was known by the nickname “Super Sic”. In 2010 he moved up to MotoGP with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team and stayed there in 2011. In his second season he took his first podium at Brno. He finished second at the Australian race, on the same day that Casey Stoner won his second world title.
A week later came the fatal crash at Sepang. Simoncelli lost control of his Honda and slid into the path of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. Many had believed he would one day become world champion in the premier class.
Why is the timing of the post special?
2026 marks the 15th anniversary of Simoncelli’s death. Dunlop’s post therefore comes in a year in which the Italian is particularly present in racing.
At the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano, the Gresini team had already paid tribute to its former rider. Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer raced there in the San Carlo colours that Simoncelli wore in 2010 and 2011. He had reached the podium twice in two years for Gresini. The livery was unveiled in the presence of Paolo Simoncelli, Carmelo and Carlos Ezpeleta, designer Aldo Drudi and the team led by Nadia Padovani. The campaign is part of the team’s 30th anniversary.
Misano has borne Simoncelli’s name since 2012. His father Paolo now runs the Moto3 team SIC58 Squadra Corse.
What is Michael Dunlop planning next?
What is officially known is a start in rallying. Dunlop is entered for a rally in Wicklow, Ireland, in November.
This year he has already competed in the Donegal International Rally and the Ulster Rally, each time in a Ford Escort RS. On two wheels, too, the season has been a success for him. At the TT in June he won both Supersport races and the only Sportbike race. In the summer he also surpassed his father Robert’s 135 wins in Irish road racing. When and where the Gilera will be used remains open for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will Michael Dunlop race the Gilera at the 2027 Classic TT?
That has not been confirmed. Dunlop has only published pictures and a video of a Gilera 250 in Simoncelli’s livery. A start in the Lightweight class of the Classic TT is considered possible, as is a non-competitive parade lap.
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Which Gilera is Michael Dunlop showing?
It is a Gilera RSA 250 in the livery of the Metis team. Marco Simoncelli became 250cc world champion in these colours in 2008. Whether Simoncelli raced this exact bike himself has not been clarified.
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When did Marco Simoncelli become world champion?
Marco Simoncelli became 250cc world champion in 2008. He was racing for the Metis Gilera team at the time and took six wins and twelve podiums.
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How many TT wins does Michael Dunlop have?
Michael Dunlop has won 36 races at the Tourist Trophy, making him the most successful rider in the history of the event. He took three of these wins in June 2026.
