DUNLOP HINTS AT PROJECT WITH SIMONCELLI-LIVERIED GILERA

Isle of Man TT star Michael Dunlop has hinted at a project involving a 250cc Gilera carrying the colours of late MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, but has not yet explained what he has planned.

Dunlop shared pictures of himself working on the machine and a video of it being revved. His caption offered only a brief tease: “Now for something special”. The bike wears the Metis livery Simoncelli used in 2008, the year he won the 250cc world championship. It is not known whether the Gilera is one Simoncelli raced or a different bike dressed in tribute.

A possible outing at next year’s Classic TT has been raised, though Dunlop has not confirmed that is the plan. The 36-time TT winner has a record of success on 250cc two-strokes, most recently riding a Honda in this year’s Classic TT. The Gilera could potentially suit the event’s Lightweight class.

The post comes in a year marking 15 years since Simoncelli’s death. He made his MotoGP debut with Gresini Honda in 2010 and stayed with the team the following season. In 2011, he claimed his first premier-class podium at Brno and finished second in Australia, on the day Casey Stoner secured his second world title. Simoncelli was killed a week later in a crash at the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, involving Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

Simoncelli’s legacy remains visible in the sport. Misano’s circuit was renamed in his honour in 2012, and his father, Paolo, runs the SIC58 Squadra Corse Moto3 team. Gresini also paid tribute with a special San Carlo-inspired livery at this year’s San Marino Grand Prix. Dunlop’s cryptic post has added another possible homage, although whether it leads to a race appearance remains unclear.