Thousands of road racing fans are expected to pay their tributes to Robert Dunlop at his funeral in Northern Ireland this afternoon (Sunday).

The rider, who died in a practice session accident on Thursday, will be laid to rest next to his brother Joey in the Dunlop's home town of Ballymoney.

Tim Glover looks ahead to today's ceremony (audio file attached):

The funeral service takes place at 4pm this afternoon in Garryduff Presbyterian Church.

It will be conducted by minister John Gilkinson and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland Chaplain Reverand John Kirkpatrick - the same ministers who conducted Joey Dunlop's funeral.

Afterwards, the 47 year old undisputed champion of the Northwest 200 will be buried in the cemetery where his brother lies.

Former Tourism Minister and friend of the Dunlops, David Cretney, and Rosie and Eddie Christian of the Sulby Glen Hotel, will make their sad pilgrimage to the funeral - just a fortnight after bidding farewell to another of the sport's big names, Martin Finnegan.

It's been an extraordinary weekend of rollercoaster emotions for the biking fraternity - the highs and lows of this bittersweet sport have been in the sharpest of focus.