Isle of Man TT outright lap record holder Michael Dunlop says he is prepared to take lap records to the next level this year in order to beat Ian Hutchinson and the rest of the competition.

Last year, Dunlop went under the 17-minute lap mark as well as setting a 133.962mph lap record before saying that 134 or 135mph is possible. The Ballymoney man is set to renew his unfriendly rivalry with Hutchinson as the pair will lock horns for five races on the island in June.

“I’m the only man to do a sub-17m and not one, I have done five of them, I think, so it wasn’t a fluke, I know how quick I can go and that I can go quicker than that. I’m not just into the sub-17s, I’m in by a good seven or eight seconds even coming into the pits so I do know there is more in me,” said Dunlop at the Villa Marina launch.

“Obviously, we had good weather last year and there was a bit of motivation to push on in the second big bike race after all the crap, I just got my head down. We were definitely strong and I do think there is more there. Changing to a new manufacturer is good, it give you a wee buzz. I can promise that no-body will be pushing harder than me.

“I know what the costs are and I am willing to take a step to get it to the next level.”