Michael Dunlop had his first outing for new team Milwaukee Yamaha on Wednesday during a pre-season test at Alcarras in Spain.

Dunlop, who linked up with British Superbike duo Josh Brookes and Broc Parkes at the private test for Yamaha’s R1 riders, has switched to a third different manufacturer in as many years for the Superbike races at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix this season.

The 25-year-old has dominated at the TT over the past two summers, scoring back-to-back four-timers to extend his haul of Mountain Course wins to 11 in total, putting him level with fellow Ulsterman Phillip McCallen and the great Steve Hislop.

After losing his ride with BMW Motorrad in the autumn, all eyes were on Dunlop as he plotted his next move, opting in the end to join Shaun Muir’s squad in a deal with Yamaha Europe to ride the much-vaunted YZF-R1.

He is set to make his roads bow on the machine at the North West 200 in May before setting sail for the Isle of Man TT, where Dunlop will ride with the number ‘3’ plate, setting off 20 seconds behind Honda Racing’s John McGuinness (1), with Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s James Hillier sandwiched in between.

The Ballymoney man is also set to contest the opening British Superbike round at Brands Hatch in April as part of his preparations for the onset of the international road racing campaign.

Kyle White