From one GOAT to another, Northern Ireland motorcycling star Michael Dunlop met up with Tour de France legend Sir Mark Cavendish on the Isle of Man this week.
Dunlop is competing at the Manx Grand Prix, while Cavendish hails from the island.
The pair have enjoyed incredible careers on two wheels, both writing their names in the history books.
Dunlop is the most successful rider in the history of the Isle of Man TT races, having eclipsed his legendary uncle Joey Dunlop’s longstanding record earlier this year.
And in July, Cavenish defied all of the odds to claim a record breaking 35th Tour stage win, overtaking the Belgian great Eddie Merckx in the process.
Their meeting was shared on the official TT website, which said: “The links between these two sporting GOATS are hard to ignore: Both men achieved their successes on two wheels driven by a thirst for speed.
“Both overtook a record held by the greatest and most revered riders of all time. And both have had to overcome significant adversity in the process, defying the odds and – at times – logic to create history.
“But perhaps the small Island in the middle of the Irish Sea is the greatest link of all. The Isle of Man is home to the TT Races, and the place that has dominated the attention of Dunlop’s sporting ambitions for a lifetime. Whilst it is the birthplace of Cavendish and the place where he learnt his craft as a young cyclist, before going on to achieve unprecedented success on the international stage.
“These two sporting greats were keen to meet one another and instantly clicked, comparing notes on the weight of expectation, overcoming adversity, and their respective plans for the future.
“Michael Dunlop and Sir Mark Cavendish are two of the world’s most committed and driven sportsmen who have put themselves and the Isle of Man on the global sporting map, and we at the Isle of Man TT Races were delighted to be able to facilitate their first meeting.”
