Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop is set to test Suzuki's MotoGP bike at a private test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia next week.
15-times TT winner Dunlop has been offered his first taste of MotoGP machinery as a token of gratitude from the Japanese manufacturer for taking the new GSX-R1000 Superbike to Senior TT glory at last year's event.
The Ballymoney rider will be joined by former MotoGP race winner, 2010 Moto2 world champion and reigning MotoAmerica Superbike champion Toni Elias and Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters at the two-day outing which will take place on January 25-26, before the first official test of the year gets underway two days later.
Dunlop's late uncle Joey – who still holds the record for most TT wins with 26 – made two wildcard appearances in grand prix racing in 1979 at Le Mans in the 350cc class, and in 1985 in the 250cc race at Silverstone. Dunlop managed to take points from both events, with ninth and tenth-place finishes respectively.
Elias – who last raced in MotoGP as Stefan Bradl's replacement at the Forward team towards the end of the 2015 campaign – Waters and Dunlop are all expected to ride the 2017 version of the GSX-RR, while official test rider and former World Superbike champion Sylvain Guintoli will run the 2018 bike.
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