The 33-time Isle of Man TT winner received a rapturous reception at the sold-out Adelaide Insurance Irish Motorbike Awards at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Dunlop overcame competition from exciting southern Irish racer Casey O’Gorman, who marked himself out as a young rider with a big future last year when he shone on his debut in the Moto3 World Championship, sealing an excellent sixth place at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

O’Gorman, from Portlaoise, was the runner-up to Dunlop in the main award category, while Rhys Irwin from Donegal was third among the eight-strong shortlist after winning the British Supersport title for the first time.

The other nominees were Jonathan Rea, David Allingham, Nikki Coates, Jack Kennedy and motocross prospect Cole McCullough.

Dunlop followed up his momentous four-timer at the 2024 TT — when he took over from his legendary uncle Joey as the event’s most successful rider — by winning four more races for a third consecutive four-timer last June.

His double successes in the Supersport and Supertwin races extended his record of TT victories to 33 since his breakthrough win in 2009.

Dunlop also won at the North West 200, sealing a hat-trick with victories in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes last May, which were his first at the north coast showpiece since 2016.

Never one to sit back and admire his work, Dunlop is already busy preparing to launch a fresh assault on the major road races this year in pursuit of more silverware on road racing’s greatest stages.

“We’ve proven again that we’re a force to be reckoned with,” Dunlop said.

“It was a successful year and there was a lot of big highs. We were successful everywhere we went, but when you are at the top you have to fight even harder.

“We’re looking to do more and achieve more. We want to go again and be bigger and better.”

The 36-year-old was honoured for his road racing success with an MBE last year, which he received from King Charles at Windsor Castle in November, an experience he enjoyed.

“It was nice that he knew about my family name and what we were about, which was an honour,” he added.

“It was a different experience and lifestyle to what I’m used to. You could probably tell by the way I was dressed that I wasn’t used to that sort of occasion!

“It was a nice thing to add to my list of achievements. It was quite cool. He definitely knew a bit about the racing.”

The Northern Ireland rider was a double award winner on the night, picking up the Race of the Year accolade for his victory in a controversial Superbike Race 2 at the North West 200, when he won after overshooting at Mather’s chicane.

Rival Peter Hickman, who also overshot, felt Dunlop should have been penalised for failing to pause in the stop-box and put his foot down before rejoining the race.

Dunlop, who beat Hickman’s team-mate Davey Todd to win the race, said he acted in the interests of safety.

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea won the Special Recognition award following a record-breaking career.

Rea announced his retirement last year at the final round at Jerez in Spain in October, but will continue as a test rider for Honda in 2026.

He was absent on Friday night to be with his wife Tatia, following the passing of her mother.

Other big winners included former 250cc British champion Adrian Coates, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Dungannon road racing veteran Paul Cranston, who received the Services to Motorcycling honour.

British Supersport champion Irwin was the Short Circuit Rider of the Year (UK circuits) while Ulster Superbike champion Carl Phillips won Short Circuit Rider of the Year on Irish circuits.

AWARD WINNERS

IRISH MOTORCYCLIST OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ADELAIDE MOTORBIKE INSURANCE

Winner: Michael Dunlop

2nd: Casey O’Gorman

3rd: Rhys Irwin

ARBUTUS CATERING HALL OF FAME: Inductee: Adrian Coates

GREENLIGHT TELEVISION KING OF THE ROADS: Davey Todd

MONSTER ENERGY SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Jonathan Rea

BELFAST CHAUFFEUR HIRE SERVICES TO MOTORCYCLING: Paul Cranston

A McLEAN BOOKMAKERS RACE OF THE YEAR: Michael Dunlop, Superbike Race 2, NW200

LIFEPASS EVENT OF THE YEAR: Joey 25 Celebration

CLASSIC BIKE FESTIVAL TEAM OF THE YEAR: Winner: Team 109. (MD Racing and MLAV Racing joint second)

ZEROFIT SHORT CIRCUIT RIDER OF THE YEAR – GB CIRCUITS: Rhys Irwin

BAYVIEW HOTEL SHORT CIRCUIT RIDER OF THE YEAR — IRISH CIRCUITS: Carl Phillips

KERR’S TYRES FEMALE TRAILBLAZER: Emma McQuaid

AIR AMBULANCE OFF ROAD RIDER OF THE YEAR: Cole McCullough

COLERAINE KAWASAKI YOUNG RIDER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Casey O’Gorman

2nd: Peter Willis

3rd: Cole McCullough

BSB BREAKTHROUGH AWARD SPONSORED BY BEAR COMPETITIONS: David Allingham