Michael Dunlop critical of Supertwin class

Michael Dunlop has launched a scathing attack on the Supertwin class.

The 650cc twin-cylinder machines were last year added to the race programme at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, but Dunlop doesn't try to mask his dislike of the middleweight bikes.

The class has been pioneered in Ireland by Dunlop's old rival Ryan Farquhar, who won all three international Supertwin races at the NW200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix in 2012.

Dunlop, who won his third TT race last June with victory in the second Supersport race, told the Belfast News Letter: "I'd rather win on any other bike than a Supertwin.

"There's no fun in riding a Supertwin and how any man thinks you could be a hero for winning on one of those things I don't know.

"I lifted the engine of the Supertwin we had last year and it was heavier than the engine I had in my Superbike - that tells you how heavy they are.

"You hear all this stuff about the Supertwins being affordable to run but to be honest it'd be cheaper to run a '600'.

"You're not going to be remembered for winning a Supertwin race," he added.

"The only race that matters is a big bike win at the TT - that's how you're remembered."

Dunlop has signed to ride for the Honda TT Legends team in 2013 alongside John McGuinness and Michael Rutter and his main objective is to win the blue riband Senior race on the Mountain Course in June.

"Adrian Archibald retired recently and Adrian has won the Senior TT twice and the Formula One race - his name is on the trophies that every rider wants, so fair play to him," he said.

"That's how you're measured in this game and that's the one I want to win as well - the Senior TT.

"I've won on a 1000cc Superstock bike at the TT so I've proved I can win big bike races there and I want a proper Superbike win next."