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Everywhere this morning there is a total state of shock and bewilderment at the sudden and tragic loss of Robert Dunlop yesterday evening. Robert and I were tough competitors for 15 years, both on the Irish scene and worldwide. We both had our eyes on the prize of becoming the King of Irish racing.ÌýWith so many years competing at that sort of levelÌýcame a lot of respect for each other, and over the yearsÌýsince I stopped racingÌýour relationship had become even closer. Although I stopped racing a few years ago, Robert opted to continue, such was his love for the sport and his will and determination to continue racing motorbikes. Motorbike racing can be likeÌýa drug and is certainly addictive. The feeling that it gives you, that rushÌýof adrenaline, outweighs all the dangers.

My fondest memory of Robert is the Macau GP in the late 80s.ÌýWe bothÌýrealised beforeÌýwe started the race thatÌýboth of us badlyÌýwanted to win it and so we went at it likeÌýtwo mad Irishmen, and Robert came out on top with me behind him in second. That's when I knew, andÌýgot to experience first hand, thatÌýhe was a true legend.

Robert Dunlop was one of the toughest competitors out there who had an unflinching determination to win. It is a sad, sad loss both to his family and the wider circle of motorbike racing. He wasÌýone ofÌýthe best ambassadors for motor racing andÌýfor hisÌýcountry, and his memory will live on for a long, long time.