Story byRichard Petrie - BBC Sport NI JournalistMon, January 12, 2026 at 8:12 AM UTC·6 min readThe past year has again seen competitors and teams from across the island of Ireland achieve remarkable levels of success in two-wheel motorsport. In short circuit racing, racing on public roads and off-road competition, there has been much to celebrate and enjoy for fans of the sport. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThose achievements will be recognised at the annual gala awards ceremony in Belfast on Friday, 16 January, with the coveted Joey Dunlop Trophy being handed over to the winner of the main award on the night - the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year. A variety of other awards will also be presented at what has become a highlight of the motorcycling calendar, attended by top riders, teams and race organisers from across Ireland. With the big night looming, BBC Sport NI assesses the six nominees for the main prize. Michael DunlopThe 2025 season was another hugely successful one for Michael Dunlop as he added four more Isle of Man TT race wins to his tally to take his record total of victories at the iconic Manx races to 33. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Ballymoney rider clinched two successes in the Supersport races to extend his winning sequence in that class to eight in a row and to 15 overall in the middleweight class. He also made it seven career wins in the Supertwins class at the TT by securing a double in that category. His four-timer across the week was his fourth at the meeting, emulating the feat he previously achieved in 2013, 2014, 2023 and 2024. The 36-year-old ended a nine-year win drought at the North West 200 in style by sealing a hat-trick of triumphs, crossing the line first in the Superstock and Supersport races on Thursday evening, and one of the Superbike races on Saturday. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDunlop, who also took two wins apiece at the Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100 Irish national events, was twice previously named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, including 12 months ago. Rhys IrwinDonegal rider Rhys Irwin completed a stellar campaign by securing the British Supersport title in 2025, riding his Gearlink by Performance 15 Suzuki. He clinched the championship crown in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch to triumph with four points to spare over Ben Currie. The Irish rider accumulated six race victories en route to claiming the championship, including a double at the Donington Park GP round in September. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTo cap off a successful season, Irwin raced to a comprehensive double success in the Supersport category at the Sunflower Trophy meeting at Bishopscourt in October. Irwin will step up to the feature British Superbike class in 2026 as a member of the MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing team. Jack KennedyDubliner Jack Kennedy finished third in the British Supersport series for the Honda Racing team. The five-time series winner won four races during the year and ended up 25 points behind championship winner Rhys Irwin. He stood on the podium 12 times. Kennedy will participate for Honda in the series again in 2026, with a sixth title very much in his sights. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDavid AllinghamEglinton rider David Allingham finished runner-up in the National Superstock 1000c series held on UK short circuits in 2025. Allingham claimed a double at the Brands Hatch round of the series in late July. Having ended up second in the standings to Ukrainian Ilya Mikhalchik last year, the Northern Ireland rider will hope to go one better when he competes in the same championship in 2026. It was revealed in November that his SMS/Nicholl Oils team will have full official BMW backing next term. Nikki CoatesNikki Coates finished third in the BMW F 900 R Cup series, 10 points behind championship winner Barry Burrell and three-and-a-half adrift of runner-up Josh Corner. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRiding for LDC BMW by FPF Racing, Coates took nin.
