Dunlop a late entry for Cookstown 100 after Le Mans crash

Michael Dunlop says he is "keen to get back on the bike and get riding" after being confirmed as a late entry for this weekend's Cookstown 100 event.

The 29-time Isle of Man TT winner has recovered from a crash at last weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours and will feature in the first event of the Irish road racing season.

"I'm not too bad, just a few bumps and bruises...black and blue one side and black and blue the other side," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI.

"Whatever way I landed, I got a bit of a doing but my suit and helmet did a great job. I'm black and blue from the impact but no broken bones."

Dunlop, 35, is testing Ducati V2 and Superstock machines ahead of the North West 200, which begins on 7 May.

In 2024, the Ballymoney rider surpassed his uncle Joey's record of Isle of Man TT wins and he admits that "took a lot of weight off my shoulders" ahead of this year.

"Last year, he TT was obviously the main objective," he said.

"I was just a bit disappointed with the North West, obviously picking up an injury here last year hindered me.

"I'm looking forward to getting to the North West and having a real good go at it. The bikes are looking well, we've a bit of work to do with the Superbike, we were left high and dry a little bit and we're working hard to get it done.

"Hopefully we get out on it very shortly and at the North West put a show on and then leads us on to the TT."