Isle of Man TT 2018: Dunlop withdraws from TT races due to injury
William Dunlop has withdrawn from this year's Isle of Man TT races to "take some time to recuperate" from injuries sustained in a crash at the North West 200
Dunlop had been due to compete in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes with the Temple Golf Clubs team respectively on Yamaha R1 and R6 machinery.
He suffered bruising to his back in a highside crash at Church corner during the Superstock race at last week's North West 200, although he had felt fit enough to contest the TT.
But following two nights of practice on the island, Dunlop felt his injury is still holding him back, and said "continuing would be the wrong decision."
"This is a very difficult decision and not one I have taken lightly," he explained in a statement.
"I can only apologise to the team and all of our sponsors, but I believe that continuing would be the wrong decision and would not give a true account of either myself or the team.
"I would like to thank Tim [Martin, Temple team boss] especially for how understanding and supportive he has been over the past few weeks.
"I obviously feel like I have let the team down, but they have stood by me throughout.
"I am going to head home to recuperate before making a decision on when I will be back on the Temple Yamahas."
Dunlop - a six-time podium finisher at the TT - enjoyed a strong start to his practice week despite battling his back injury.
The Ballymoney rider made the top eight on the Supersport timesheets last Saturday with a lap of 18m26.493s at 122.755mph, and put in a 125.197mph lap on Monday night in the Superbike session to go ninth quickest.
Dunlop's younger brother Michael will be looking to add to his tally of 15 TT wins this week with the Tyco BMW squad in the big bike classes, his Carl Cox-backed MD Racing Supersport machine, and the Paton he is riding in the Lightweight class.
Isle of Man TT 2018: Harrison tops opening Superbike practice
Isle of Man TT: Harrison beats 17-minute mark on practice day two
How a much-needed 'revolution' is key to a motorsport gem's future
OPINION: The Isle of Man TT is one of motorsport’s oldest events and one of its most revered. After a COVID-enforced two-year hiatus, the TT is back in 2022 and for the first time will be broadcast live, a much-needed move that will help to address some of the fundamental problems it faces
How the world's fastest road racer is helping Britain's motorcycling future
Britain has dominated motorcycle racing for three decades, but its representation at the top table is in decline. Looking to provide fresh energy and opportunity in the junior ranks, the world's fastest road racer Peter Hickman may have found a solution
The far-reaching impact of cancelling motorcycling's greatest race
The coronavirus-induced cancellation of the Isle of Man TT was unavoidable, but as thoughts turn to its return in 2021, the ramifications could be felt for a long time yet
How the IoM TT's greatest race was won
In our final feature looking back at the major motorsport moments from the 2010s, we recall a day at the 2018 Isle of Man TT that featured broken records and the making of a new star of the motorbike road racing scene
What went wrong with McGuinness's TT comeback
John McGuinness targeted scoring a podium "at least" with Norton at the Isle of Man TT, but his return to the island - in the major classes at least - could scarcely have gone worse. What next for the veteran after his most disappointing TT?
What the TT means to those who have braved it
OPINION: The Isle of Man TT is an event like few others in motorsport - and it has a reputation for being incredibly dangerous. But to those involved in the competition, it has a completely different standing
The unavoidable headache challenging TT organisers
For much of the 2019 Isle of Man TT fortnight so far, the weather has dominated the headlines as rain has forced a series of delays and cancellations. This may be frustrating to fans, but stems from the unique challenge that makes the event a motorsport gem
The importance of short-circuit racing for TT success
Isle of Man TT riders using short-circuit races to warm up for the main event is nothing new, but the success of some relative newcomers to the TT in recent years has resulted in a more seismic shift in preparations