Will twice Southern 100 Solo Champion Michael Dunlop come away from the 61st Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 International Road Races with a coveted third title?

Michael completed a ‘double’ in 2011 and 2012, but missed out on equalling his Uncle Joey’s treble in 2013 when arch-rival Guy Martin took the honours.

Michael riding the Hawk Racing BMW has to start as one of the favourites to clinch the feature race after his Superbike and Senior TT win at the TT last month.

The younger of the famous Ballymoney brothers also took the Superbike race win at the rain hit Skerries Road Races last week.

Whilst on paper Michael Dunlop is the ‘man to beat’, there are some up and coming Billown Course regulars who are equally keen to collect the silverware and other awards on offer.

Dean Harrison has to be in with a shout on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki, as will Devitt RC Express rider Ivan Lintin.

Add in Mar-Train Yamaha man Dan Kneen, although the local rider is ‘race rusty’ not having raced since the North West 200 due to a training injury with ruled him out of the June race in the Isle of Man.

Jamie Coward has just secured a 1000cc machine courtesy of Devitt RC Express and could be another dark horse, as will fellow Yorkshireman James Cowton, who will be back on board the ‘big’ BMW sponsored by local Castletown butcher Radcliffe’s.

Include in the mix Steve Mercer, Ryan Kneen, Michael Russell to name but a few and it would be a brave person to predict the outcome of the Manx Gas Solo Championship Race next Thursday, let alone any of the other of the 12 solo races due to take place at this year’s Southern 100 International Road Races.