Motorbikes

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Richard Cooper has qualified on pole position for Saturday's two Supertwin races at the North West 200.

KMR Kawasaki rider Cooper, who has four wins in the class to his name, was fastest ahead of home riders Adam McLean and Paul Jordan.

Peter Hickman, who won both races last year, was fourth while former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams rounded out the top five.

After three red flags on Wednesday forced the Supertwins' qualifying session to be cancelled, the class opened Thursday's running with an hour-long session.

England's Cooper and Yamaha rider McLean traded fastest times in the early stages of the session.

Cooper eventually pulled clear with a lap of 4:48.326, which was 0.754 seconds faster than McLean.

They will be joined on the front row for the two races on Saturday by Jordan, who has had an impressive start to his North West 200.

Hickman, McWilliams and Michael Sweeney will start on the second row, while the returning Jamie Coward and Michael Rutter round out the top eight.

Cooper, who switched bikes mid-session, said he felt "really good" after the sole qualifying session.

"I'm really happy with the KMR Kawasaki, we made good steps with it and I feel there is a little bit to come from the suspension.

"Everyone is making strides and the times are getting tighter. I think Hicky [Peter Hickman] is always going to be a dark horse, Adam McLean is on his new Yamaha and you can never count out Jeremy McWilliams."

Supertwins qualifying results

1. Richard Cooper (Kawasaki) 4:48.326 (111.998 mph)

2. Adam McLean (Yamaha) +0.754 (111.706 mph)

3. Paul Jordan (Aprillia) +5.229 (109.721 mph)

4. Peter Hickman (Yamaha) +1.325 (109.230 mph)

5. Jeremy McWilliams (Aprillia) +0.535 (109.032 mph)

6. Michael Sweeney (Aprillia) +0.409 (108.882 mph)

7. Jamie Coward (Kawasaki) +0.780 (108.596 mph)

8. Michael Rutter (Yamaha) +2.088 (107.839 mph)

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Isle of Man road racer Conor Cummins says he is looking forward to his "brand new" start with the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing team at this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

The Manxman has been competing at the North West since 2006 with best finishes of second in a Superbike race in 2010 and a Supersport event in 2014.

He picked up fifth and sixth places at last year's meeting but his long-standing association with the Padgett's Racing outfit ended soon after as they parted ways during the Isle of Man TT.

The 37-year-old will ride a BMW in the Superbike and Superstock classes and a Ducati Panigale V2 in the Supersport category.

"I'm very optimistic, really excited about it," Cummins told BBC Sport NI.

"John [Burrows] and the team have had a lot of experience on these bikes [the BMWs]. It's still new to me although I did have a run out in July [at Armoy] on another BMW.

"I realised then definitely the next step on my career [was] to jump on a BMW and I'm grateful to John for giving me a shot at it."

The Ducati represents a new challenge for Cummins.

"The Ducati Supersport is something completely different for me. I've never ridden a Ducati before but obviously it's an iconic brand and the V2 is going to be some weapon on the track, no doubt.

"The North West 200 is a go-to event for me. It was my first international road race back in 2006. I love coming back to it and coming back to Northern Ireland and racing at one of the most iconic events on the calendar."

Cummins described his 2024 season as "far from ideal" but adds that he is "definitely raring to go" for the new campaign.

"I go racing to win races, that's my goal, and the TT remains top of the priority list for me, that's why I do all this testing, all this racing, just to put me in a good position, I'm excited. Brand new team, new bike, new manufacturer.

"I'm definitely going to come back and do Armoy. I did that last July and loved it."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Richard Cooper says the North West 200 is one of his favourite events on the racing calendar, his love for the event accentuated by the success he has enjoyed over the Triangle circuit since making his debut in 2019.

The 42-year-old Nottingham rider grabbed a second place in his first year and has won four Supertwins races at the meeting, adding a Supersport victory in 2024 to his tally of wins.

"I've had some great results. Some difficult times, but fundamentally one of my favourite weeks of the year for sure and on top of things I like to do in a year," Cooper told BBC Sport NI.

"I came here in 2019 with no expectations, built up nicely and ended the week with a podium. Since that we've been competitive in every class we've ridden and when you get results you begin to enjoy a place.

"The fact you can have a little bit of a holiday too and enjoy the seaside it makes it a special place. When the sun shines there's no place like it."

Despite excelling in the Superbike and Superstock classes during much of his career, three-time British champion Cooper has opted to concentrate on lower capacity classes in recent years with familiar teams.

"To ride a big bike you need time and you need a good team around you and I haven't reached out for those reasons.

"The last time I came on the big bike was 2022 and I was successful and finished second to Glenn Irwin but I'm not getting any younger.

"I am feeling my age at times and the two smaller classes are more suited to me and put me in the best position to be competitive."

The former double British Superstock 1000cc champion will again campaign a Yamaha for the Northern Ireland-based BPE by Russell Racing team this year, along with a Kawasaki for Ryan Farquhar's KMR outfit.

"They are two teams that I enjoy riding for and they put 100% effort in. Equally I give them effort back.

"We work well together, they want to provide me with the best machinery possible and to give them results is what I want to do. Continuity has been a key for me."

Cooper lost out to Peter Hickman in both Twins races last year but is keen to turn the tables on his compatriot.

"I'm trying to improve the Kawasaki ER6. It's quite an old bike but we're trying to find small improvements.

"The new rules allow these other bikes on to the grid now and there is no hiding the advantages they have but we are still competitive. It's still possible to win."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Dean Harrison says he hopes to be challenging for wins at the front of the pack when he contests this year's North West 200 with a full stable of machinery at his disposal from his Honda Racing team.

The Bradford rider, now resident in Laxey in the Isle of Man, rode only a Superstock bike at last year's meeting but still managed a second place in that class, followed by third position in Saturday's feature Superbike race at the event held over the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit.

His team did not field Superbike or Supersport machines at the meeting 12 months ago because of "the demands of the 2024 calendar and schedule, combined with challenges in the supply chain regarding parts and materials".

"The North West 200 is one of the biggest races of the year for us. We had our ups and downs last year but this year we've got a lot more preparation under our belt so we're hitting the ground running with what we learnt last year," Harrison told BBC Sport NI.

"It did set us back a little bit but it was just one of those things. With it being a brand new bike and everything coming a little bit late it didn't help the situation.

"We had to come with one bike but regardless I think we did a good job."

The 36-year-old is hopeful of achieving a maiden North West win in his second season with the Japanese manufacturer, for whom he is also competing in this year's British Supersport series.

"If we can chip away with all three bikes this year hopefully we'll go one better and be at the front," added the three-time Isle of Man TT winner.

"I really enjoyed the time in British Supersport last year so hopefully we can build on that this year."

Image source, Pacemaker

Australian Josh Brookes possesses the pedigree to compete at the sharp end of any race meeting.

Brookes was crowned British Superbike champion in 2015 and 2020 and is having another tilt at the championship this year on board a Honda Fireblade with the DAO Racing team.

The 42-year-old teams up with Jackson Racing on Hondas for the North West as he takes part in the Triangle races for the first time since 2022.

The Sydney rider began his NW200 career in 2013 and set a new lap record for the circuit 12 months later in finishing second to Michael Dunlop in a Superbike race, his best result at the event to date.

In 2024 Brookes secured his first rostrum finish at the TT courtesy of his second place in the blue riband Senior TT finale.

His fastest lap of the Triangle circuit is 123.141mph set in 2022.

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Dean Harrison is in his second season as part of the Honda Racing team and despite 10 North West podiums is still chasing his first victory at the event.

In 2024, the Yorkshire rider, now resident in the Isle of Man, had a best finish of second in Thursday's Superstock race, followed by a third place in one of Saturday's Superbike races.

He sits third in the all-time list of fastest laps at the North West with a speed of 124.973 set in the feature race of the meeting in 2024.

The 36-year-old was a regular on the grid in the British Superbike series in recent years but has switched to compete in the Supersport class at the end of the 2024 season and for 2025.

A three-time Southern 100 Solo Championship winner on the big bikes, Harrison's best Superbike result at the North West to date is a second place in 2018.

He was the victor in the Senior TT of 2019, one of his three triumphs at the annual Isle of Man road race, in which he has racked up 30 podiums.

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All-time North West 200 wins record holder Alastair Seeley returns to the event this year after sitting out the 2024 edition because he was unable to acquire suitable competitive machinery.

The 29-time winner will ride an SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW in the trio of Superbike outings as he aims to add to his tally of four victories in that class so far, his most recent in 2017.

Seeley's accomplished CV also includes a benchmark 13 Supersport wins at the North West and 10 in the Superstocks, also a record.

The 45-year-old is a former British Superstock and Supersport champion and holds the record for the number of podium finishes at the North West with 43, those rostrum spots gathered over a 15-year period between 2008 and 2023.

He rides the BMW he rode as part of the TAS Racing set-up on his last North West appearance in 2023.

His fastest lap to date is 124.484mph set in 2023.

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Isle of Man TT course lap record holder Peter Hickman targets a first North West Superbike win to add to the two Superstock wins he has achieved so far and his 2024 Supertwins double.

The 38-year-old returns to the international meeting with a fleet of machines which include 8Ten Racing BMWs for the big bike classes.

The Lincolnshire rider's career to date includes finishing in the top six in the overall British Superbike standings on four occasions.

He has 14 TT wins to his name, including three in the Superbike race and three in the Senior.

Hickman is also a four-time winner of the Macau Grand Prix and secured a record seven wins at the most recent running of the Ulster Grand Prix in 2019, when he also set the course lap record.

Hickman has stood on the podium 10 times already at the North West, holds the Supersport lap record and his best lap speed of 124.799mph sees him sit fourth in the all-time list of fastest laps.

He is again contending the British Superbike Championship in 2025.

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Davey Todd ensured that Irwin did not have things all his own way in the Superbike events in 2024, the Yorkshireman coming a close second to his rival in each of the three races.

The 29-year-old remains on BMW machinery this year but has swapped the colours of the Milwaukee by TAS Racing team for his new 8Ten Racing Team as he aims to add to his six race wins and 16 rostrum finishes to date.

The two-time British Superstock 1000cc champion has moved up to compete in the feature British Superbike class on short circuits this term and is having his first competitive outing in the opening round at Oulton Park over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Todd's three victories at last year's NW200, two in Supersports and one in Superstocks, doubled his career tally of successes at the meeting, his maiden triumph having been achieved in the Supersports in 2019.

With his burgeoning CV also including Senior TT and Superstock TT wins, few would bet against the Saltburn-on-Sea pilot achieving a first Superbike win around the Triangle this week.

He currently sits as the second fastest rider ever around the 8.9-mile course with a lap speed of 125.673mph, set 12 months ago.

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Glenn Irwin finished second as Leon Haslam claimed his first British Superbike race win since 2018 in Monday's sprint at Oulton Park.

The Englishman held off Irwin and Bradley Ray, who won Sunday's opener, to prevail in the 12-lap contest for Moto Rapido Racing.

"It's so good. yesterday I was a little bit nervous to be honest with you, Wilf [team owner Steve Moore] was saying bring it home, take it easy and by the time I'd got into second yesterday, Brad was long gone" said 2018 BSB champion Haslam.

"Today I thought I needed to go hard from the start and I managed to make an early move, catch him down, and I didn't expect to do that lap time."

Ray led Storm Stacey and Haslam early in the race as Irwin dropped to fourth.

Haslam made a move at the start of lap five to lead and held on from there, while Northern Irishman Irwin recovered to pip Ray to second for Hager PBM Ducati.

Haslam, 41, added: "To be honest, the last five laps were the longest laps ever, there were a couple of false neutrals and a big moment on the last lap. I was struggling to get back into gears and I went down one too many and it popped in.

"It was a rookie mistake really on the last lap and I should have kept it smooth. A big thanks to Moto Rapido, all the sponsors involved. It's been a hard few years and it's a nice feeling to get back on the top step."

• Two riders die in British Supersport Championship race

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Michael Dunlop will aim to bridge a nine-year gap since his last North West 200 win when he takes part in this year's races, his stable of machinery including a Hawk Racing-backed BMW.

The Ballymoney rider is most renowned for his record 29 victories at the Isle of Man TT but has also accumulated five successes at the North West, including wins in the Superbike class in 2014 and 2016.

A former lap record holder for the Triangle circuit, Dunlop reinforced his pedigree in the feature class by taking two third-place finishes and a fourth in last year's big bike races.

He achieved three further third positions 12 months ago - two in Supersports and one in the Superstock category.

Dunlop's credentials are further strengthened by the fact that he currently holds the Superbike lap record for the Isle of Man Mountain Course, albeit a very different circuit to the Triangle, and boasts five Superbike race wins and three in the blue riband Senior event at the TT.

Dunlop's fastest lap of the course stretches back to 2016 - 123.207mph.

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Glenn Irwin produced an impressive ride from 14th on the grid to finish second behind Bradley Ray in Sunday's British Superbike Championship opener at Oulton Park.

Ray earned a dominant 1.937-second victory as he smashed his own lap record during the race.

However, Northern Ireland man Irwin also had an encouraging beginning to the campaign on his Hager PBM Ducati as he moved into third place by lap 13 after getting past last season's champion Kyle Ryde.

The Carrickfergus rider moved into second place ahead of Leon Haslam with three laps remaining and held on to that in the closing stages despite the Englishman's attempts to regain the runners-up spot.

Ryde had to be content with fifth place after being passed by series debutant Storm Stacey in the closing stages while Tommy Bridewell completed the top six.

Irwin's brother Andrew had to opt out of Sunday's opener after crashing in practice earlier in the afternoon.

The Honda rider slid off into gravel and while he was reported by organisers to be "OK" after receiving medical treatment, sat out race one.

The bank holiday weekend Oulton Park action will continue on Monday with the race two sprint event at 13:15 BST before race three at 16:15.

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Jonathan Rea's struggles on his return to action after injury continued as the Northern Ireland rider finished 16th and 18th in Sunday's races at the World Superbikes round in Cremona.

The six-time world champion was 19th in his first race of the season on Saturday after missing the opening three rounds of the campaign because of foot fractures sustained when crashing during testing at Phillip Island in February.

Rea subsequently had surgery in Belfast and had continued his recuperation at home before returning to action in Italy.

The Northern Ireland man finished 19.2 seconds behind Nicolo Bulega in Sunday morning's superpole race as the Italian Ducati rider repeated his race one victory over Toprak Razgatlioglu, with Alvaro Bautista again completing the podium spots.

The top three were unchanged in race two as Bulega secured a dominant 1.826-second victory after moving ahead of Turkey's defending world champion Razgatlioglu on lap four.

Rea was in a points position early on in race two as he was in 14th spot but was down to 16th by lap four and lost further ground over the remaining 19 laps as he finished 44 seconds off the pace in 18th.

Bulega's weekend clean sweep in Italy was his seventh victory in the 12 races so far this season.

The Ducati rider extended his world championship lead over Razgatlioglu to 34 points, with third-placed Bautista already 73 points off the pace.

Danilo Petrucci finished fourth in race two, with Great Britain's Sam Lowes securing a battling fifth spot in race two as he held off Iker Lecuona despite suffering badly with flu.

Rea's Pata Yamaha team-mate Andrea Locatelli was eighth in race two.

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Jonathan Rea finished in 19th place on his return to World Superbike action in the fourth round of the 2025 championship at Cremona in Italy.

The Northern Ireland rider had missed the first three rounds of this year's series after suffering a serious injury to his left foot in a crash in testing at Phillip Island in Australia in February.

Rea qualified 17th in Superpole for the first of the weekend's three races on his Pata Yamaha on Saturday but suffered setbacks during the race as he twice ended up riding through gravel sections before getting back on track.

The six-time champion, 38, had been given the go-ahead to compete by medical staff at the meeting.

The race was won by Italian Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega, who took his fifth victory of the season to extend his lead at the top of the standings to 26 points.

Two-time and defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, of Turkey, was 2.8 seconds adrift of Bulega at the end of the race and the BMW rider retains his second place in the championship.

Spain's Alvaro Bautista was third on his Ducati.

The Superpole race and second feature race will take place on Sunday.