Ulster GP: Bruce Anstey to ride exotic RCV at Dundrod

Bruce Anstey will ride the MotoGP-based Honda RC213V-S at the MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix in August.

Anstey caused a sensation when he opted to ride the exotic V4 racer at the Isle of Man TT for Clive Padgett's Valvoline-backed team in preference to his trusty Honda Fireblade.

However, a crash during practice at Keppel Gate left him feeling second hand and the Flying Kiwi was unable to race to his full potential, finishing eighth and fifth in the Superbike and Senior TT races respectively.

The 46-year-old has tasted success in the Superbike class at Dundrod three times in the past five years and Anstey is relishing the chance to unleash the ?138,000 machine at the fastest road race in the world, where he established the outright lap record of 133.977mph in 2010 on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

"I'm really pleased that we're able to bring the RCV to Dundrod and that I'll get another run out on it before the season ends. Everyone has been asking Clive about whether it's going to be there or not, there's a lot of interest in it and now we can confirm it," said Anstey.

"I think the bike will go down really well at the Ulster and I'm looking forward to setting off down the Flying Kilo. It's fantastic to ride and should handle the fast, flowing corners of the circuit with ease.

"I'm looking forward to riding the RCV at full fitness too," he added. "I got a bit knocked about and bruised with my off at the TT so this is my chance to get out there and do the bike justice."

A host of top names will be in action at Dundrod, with Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson renewing their rivalry following their spat at the TT, while Peter Hickman returns following his sensational win in the second Superbike race in 2015.

Lee Johnston - a treble winner last August - and William Dunlop are also leading contenders along with Honda Racing's Conor Cummins.

Speculation continues over whether or not Guy Martin will be on the grid at the event. The Tyco BMW rider was badly injured in a high-speed spill in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race last year and hasn't raced on the roads since.

However, the Ulster GP organisers haven't given up hope on Martin and are optimistic that the Lincolnshire star will make the trip to Northern Ireland.

The event takes place from August 10-13 and this year includes a Superpole qualifying session for the Superbike class - a first for an international road race meeting.