Motorbikes

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Joe Yeardsley, Senior Manx Grand Prix winner in 2023, and British Superbike competitor Barry Burrell are among the riders who will make their debuts at the North West 200 in May.

In total, 12 racers attended a two-day induction course this week which included classroom sessions and guided laps of the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit.

Yeardsley, 28, made his Isle of Man TT bow last year and will now tackle Northern Ireland's international road race aboard Aprilia machinery in the Superbike, Superstock and Supertwin classes, plus a Yamaha in the Supersport category.

"The reason I haven't raced at the North West 200 before now was down to finance," said Yeardsley.

"But I got an invite this year from Mervyn Whyte and now that I am working with Trevor Scott [sponsor from Coleraine] it is possible this year.

"I hope to be doing the rest of the Irish Nationals this year as well."

English rider Burrell formerly competed in the feature Superbike class in BSB between 2011 and 2015 but more recently has participated in the F900 BMW Cup series, in which he finished runner-up in 2024.

"I've finally made up my mind to take the plunge and make my road racing debut," the 38-year-old explained.

"I am good friends with Richard Cooper [five-time NW200 race winner] who has done well here and I think now is the right time to do it."

Burrell will ride M1000RR BMWs in the Superbike and Superstock classes at Portrush for the Halliwell Jones BMW team.

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Jonathan Rea will miss this weekend's opening round of the World Superbike Championship in Australia after sustaining multiple foot fractures in a crash during testing at the Phillip Island circuit.

A statement from the 38-year-old's Yamaha Racing team said the six-time world champion had fallen in the closing stages of Monday's first test session.

"He was taken to the circuit medical centre before being transferred to Cowes for further assessment, where it was confirmed he had sustained multiple fractures to the left foot," said a Yamaha team statement.

"He will take no further part in testing or the race weekend."

Rea is in his second campaign with Yamaha after a disappointing debut season for the team in 2024.

The Northern Ireland man won six straight world titles with Kawasaki between 2015 and 2020 but opted to switch to Yamaha at the end of the 2023 season.

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Peter Hickman and Davey Todd look set to be part of a new BMW team for this year's international road races and British Superbike Championship following an announcement that the pair will not after all be competing for the FHO Racing outfit in 2025.

It was announced in November that Yorkshireman Todd would join Hickman in Faye Ho's team for this season but a change of plan means both riders are set to ride BMW bikes under the banner of 8TEN Racing in the forthcoming season.

FHO Racing will now field one rider only in the BSB series, 2024 IDM Superbike champion and World Endurance rider Ilya Mikhalchik, who will make his debut in the championship.

Faye Ho will also continue to support and provide investment to a number of young women in the racing paddock as they seek to progress their careers through numerous British Championship support classes, plus pursue further motorsports activities in new markets in Asia.

"I am a strong advocate of the British Superbike Championship, one of the most entertaining and competitive series in the world," Faye Ho said in an announcement of her team's change of plan on British Superbike.com, external

"However, with my long-term goals looking to push motorsports activities in Asia, as well as to keep supporting young women with opportunities in racing, I've come to realise I cannot fully commit to the previous levels of time that I have given to BSB and Road Racing since becoming team owner in 2021 with additional commitments I have back at home in Macau," she added.

British Superstock champion Todd and TT lap record holder Hickman will campaign the all-new BMW M 1000 RR in 2025 with full details of the new 8TEN team to be announced on 26 February.

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Yorkshireman Jamie Coward is to return to the North West 200 in 2025 with his KTS Racing team after a three-year absence.

Among his stable of machinery will be a factory-backed Triumph for the Supersport class and BMW bikes for the Superbike and Superstock categories.

The 34-year-old secured his first podium result over the Triangle circuit in 2019 when he finished runner-up to Stefano Bonetti in the opening Supertwins outing.

He followed that up with two fifth place finishes in Supertwins and Superstocks when the event returned after a two-year hiatus because of the Covid outbreak in 2022.

Impressed by Coward's fourth place in the second Supersport TT race last June, the Macadam Triumph Factory Racing team have stepped up to partner him and his KTS squad for the middleweight category at the North West and Isle of Man TT.

"I'm looking forward to getting on the new bike and equally looking forward to coming back to the North West," said Coward.

"It's a circuit I've always enjoyed and had good results at so with support from Triumph we should be even closer to the front."

North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte said it was "a major boost to have a road racer of Jamie's calibre back at the North West 200 and fantastic news that he will be representing Triumph with KTS Racing".

"To have official factory machinery on the grid is a very significant development for the event," he added.

The North West 200 practices and race period will be from 7-10 May.

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Motorsport in Northern Ireland is to benefit from a £187,000 investment to benefit health and safety equipment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced.

The equipment will be used at events such as motorbike road racing, car rallies, karting, hill climbs and at race tracks.

Announcing the funding, the Minister said: "Motorsports have always been part of Northern Ireland's world class sporting legacy, attracting riders and spectators from across the globe to events such as the North West 200 and other road racing circuits every year.

"This funding will go towards the purchase of safety bales which can be shared across the sector at road races and other events into the future, helping to make these races as safe as possible.

"The sector will also benefit from investment in other safety equipment, improving safety at race events and for those participating in track days."

He highlighted the need to provide safer conditions for up and coming racers.

"We have some of the best motorsport talent in the world here in Northern Ireland and local races and circuits are important to develop their careers.

"While the danger remains present, as it always will at high speeds, this funding, distributed through Sport NI, will boost rider and driver safety as well as the safety of teams, officials and visitors."

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Michael Dunlop is to compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 on board a BMW M1000RR for Team LRP Poland, one of the series' leading independent outfits.

The 35-year-old will join ex-Grand Prix rider Danny Webb and Enzo Boulom in the Superbike class and will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours event from 17-20 April.

Dunlop will miss the second round at Spa from 6-7 June because of a date clash with the Isle of Man TT and will be replaced by Marek Szkopek.

Last year Dunlop raced at Le Mans in the Superstock category on a Honda, finishing in 16th position.

The 29-time TT winner from Ballymoney, who was named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year on 17 January, has yet to confirm his road racing plans for 2025.

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Motorcycle road racing looks set to return to the Republic of Ireland in 2025 after a recently set up organisation said it has secured insurance to run several races.

The RRAI (Road Racing Alliance Ireland), which includes a number of road racing clubs, split from the governing body of the sport in the Republic - Motorcycling Ireland - last October.

The new body released a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, saying that the Walderstown, Faugheen 50 and Athea road races would return this year.

No road races have been held in the Republic of Ireland since 2022 because of difficulty in obtaining suitable insurance.

"After what seems like an eternity since the last motorcycle races took to the roads here in the Southern Centre, the RRAI are pleased to announce that the organisation has in fact secured an insurance policy to cover several events for 2025," the statement explained.

"Ever since the Road Race Clubs took the unenviable decision to leave Motorcycling Ireland last October, diligent work was undertaken by the Clubs to work together under the RRAI umbrella and leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of securing a policy that will result in our sport returning to where it belongs, among the hedges and roads in the Republic."

The statement added that a "positive" future for the sport was envisaged, that other events for 2025 were being explored.

"The work undertaken by the RRAI and the clubs had resulted in an insurance policy that covers road races here in the South, and while there is significant work ahead, we feel that it is wholly achievable."

"At present we can confirm that several road races will take place in 2025, Walderstown, the Faugheen 50 and the return of Athea in Co Limerick, however we are exploring other events for 2025, and we will update you all in due course with the confirmed dates."

In Northern Ireland, the Cookstown 100, North West 200, Tandragee 100 and the Armoy road races form the road racing calendar for 2025.

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North West 200 organisers have unveiled a five-year sustainability plan to further grow the event and help secure its future.

At a presentation to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Leisure and Development Committee, the tourism benefits and the 1.8 billion global media reach of the international road race meeting were emphasised by representatives of the NW200.

Councillors were informed that in excess of 100,000 were attracted to the event annually, 27% of those visitors from overseas, but were also told that there was a need for capital investment in the future to modernise infrastructure and sustain the event's profile.

It was said that the event generates an estimated £20m for the local economy and provided substantial international exposure for Northern Ireland.

Among the objectives for future investment were growing overseas markets across Great Britain, Europe, North America and the Republic of Ireland, plus developing international marketing and broadening event development and features for the Race Week Festival.

Restorative upgrades to the paddock, improved signage, an infrastructure that showcases the North West 200's and the borough's heritage and an upgrade to the North West 200 Tunnel with "Legends Murals" are stated aims and initiatives.

The presentation mentioned a succession plan and detailed a newly expanded management structure.

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Josh Brookes is to join Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan in making up the Jackson Racing team at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international road races in 2025.

The team-mates will have Honda machinery at their disposal for the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport races.

Brookes, 41, is a double British Superbike champion who previously held the lap record for the Triangle circuit at the North West and last year finished second in the Senior TT after setting his fastest ever lap of the Mountain Course at 134.056mph.

The Australian, who will race for DAO Racing Honda in this year's BSB series, did not race at the North West in 2023 and 2024 so will be making his return to that event.

"With racing a Honda in BSB this season, I wanted to keep that continuity at the roads," said Brookes.

"The team [Jackson Racing] have got good bikes and equipment and are very eager to make the right steps to not only give me the best but also the whole team.

"I think that's quite important, and it gives me confidence that they're motivated to keep pushing forward, so it seemed like the right move."

Jordan finished four of his five races inside the top 12 at the TT in 2024, setting personal best times on his three Jackson Racing machines.

He also achieved a series of top-six finishes at the NW200 last May.

"After a good first season together, it feels great to be continuing with Jackson Racing for 2025; there's nothing I would change with the team set-up - the atmosphere is brilliant," said Jordan.

I know there's room for improvement and I want to keep moving forward and edge ever closer to the front runners.

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Davey Todd is to ride Supersport and Supertwin machinery for Milenco by Padgett's Racing at this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT international road races.

The Yorkshire rider will compete on a Honda in the middleweight class and a Paton in the Twins category.

The 29-year-old is riding BMW bikes for the FHO Racing team in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Todd previously rode for the Padgett's outfit from 2019 to 2023, achieving his first TT podium in the team's colours in the Superstock race in 2022.

He secured a Supersport win double at the North West in 2023, having finished second in four races at the event 12 months previous.

Those victories came on the back of his maiden Supersport success with Padgetts in 2019.

In 2024 Todd won a Superstock race and two Supersport outings at the North West as part of the TAS Racing team and also finished runner-up behind Glenn Irwin in all three Superbike races.

He went on to win the blue riband Senior and Superstock races at the IOM TT.

"It is really cool to be back with the Padgett's team and to have a full quota of bikes for 2025 with just two teams was important to me," said Todd.

"There are so many good memories with the team such as my first international road race win at the NW200 in 2019.

"There have been some rule changes in the last couple of years which have opened things up to make improvements for the CBR 600RR which Clive [Padgett] has done.

"I've never ridden a Paton before so there will be a learning curve. But it is the bike to be on in the Supertwin class."

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The FHO Racing team is to return to the North West 200 international road race in 2025 with riders Peter Hickman and Davey Todd.

The English riders will be aboard BMW machinery in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the event, which will be held over the Triangle circuit from 7-10 May.

Faye Ho's team withdrew from the 2023 North West meeting after being told that the carbon wheels on their BMW Superstocks did not conform to Motor Cycle Union of Ireland regulations.

The British Superbike outfit also sat out the 2024 staging of the race.

"Having missed the last two years, I am happy to say FHO Racing will be participating in the 2025 North West 200 with my two-rider line-up," said Faye, who will field the same two riders in next year's British Superbike Championship.

"I am very much looking forward to coming back and putting on a good show for everyone," she added.

North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte agreed the deal to secure the FHO team's return during November's Macau Grand Prix.

"Both Davey and Peter are leading contenders on the roads and tracks and the FHO Racing BMWs have a well established pedigree of success so this is very exciting news for North West 200 fans," said Whyte.

Todd clinched a hat-trick of victories at last year's North West, two in the Superstock class and one in the Supersports, while Hickman was a double victor in the Supertwins on a machine prepared by his own PHR Racing outfit.

Yorkshireman Todd was also runner-up in all three Superbike races in 2024.

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Davey Todd has lamented the fact that the 2024 Macau motorcycle grand prix had to be cancelled because of inclement weather at the weekend.

The English racer received the trophy for first place after posting the fastest time in qualifying for the scheduled 12-lap event over the 3.8-mile Guia circuit.

Finn Erno Kostamo, the 2022 race winner, and Todd's FHO Racing BMW team-mate Peter Hickman were second and third quickest in the qualifying session.

Heavy rain put pay to any chance of running the race this year.

"It's a real shame about the weather but at the end of the day what can we do. It's out of everybody's control," Todd told a media conference in Macau.

"The organisers have done the best job they possibly can - we've just been very unlucky, it's not normal for this time of year.

"To qualify on pole and in essence take the race win is pretty cool, and to have two FHO riders on the podium is good."

It was conformed in the run-up to the event that Todd would partner Hickman in the FHO Racing outfit for the 2025 British Superbike Championship and Isle of Man TT.

"I'm really pleased to start off my relationship with the team like this," added the Yorkshireman of his first outing for his new team.

Four-time Macau winner Hickman commented: "Everything's been against us but it's good for Faye and the team. We both got on the front row, which has turned out to be the race result.

"Personally, I'm not really a qualifying kind of person so I always look forward to a race, as we all do, but it just wasn't to be this year.

"We'll all have to come back next year and fingers crossed it can all run smoothly."

Record nine-time winner Michael Rutter was fourth on the qualifying leaderboard on another of the FHO Racing BMWs, with Rob Hodson fifth and Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan sixth.

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Northern Ireland's Scott Swann will make his debut in the British Superbike Championship in 2025.

Swann, who is the son of 12-time Irish champion Michael, will ride a Honda for Team IWR.

The 21-year-old won five races as he finished in third place in the British Superstock Championship and will now step into the premier class.

Simon Reid, who is the son of double world champion Brian, will race for the team in the British Superstock Championship on a new Honda Fireblade.

Swann said that competing in the British Superbike Championship was something he had worked towards his "whole life".

"Last year I put a huge amount of effort into my racing and this year it will definitely go up another notch, as that is what you have to do to be a Superbike rider, but I really believe I am ready to make the step up.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity with this team as they are so experienced and have been around for a long time, so I know for a fact that they can give me what I need and we will all have a great time while we are doing it."

Reid said he was "super pleased" to link up with IWR and said there was a "great atmosphere" in the team.

"The continuity of staying there, leading into next year, I feel will make us strong contenders and we are there to aim for podiums and challenge for the championship."

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Glenn Irwin has signed a two-year deal to remain with the PBM Ducati team to compete in the 2025 and 2026 British Superbike Championships.

The 34-year-old from Northern Ireland finished second in the BSB series with the team in 2023 and third in the standings the following season.

The Carrickfergus rider, who announced his retirement from road racing last week, is bidding to win the title for the first time.

His team has won a record nine British Superbike titles.

Irwin won eight individual races this season and took a total of 10 podium finishes.

"To re-sign with PBM and to continue onboard the Ducati was an absolute priority, to be honest it didn’t take much negotiation. Everyone is on the same wavelength," said Irwin.

"I think also after my recent announcement with my career, my sole goal is to win the British Superbike Championship. We know that is the goal of the team too.

“To have a two year contract is cool, as in one sense you have security, but what makes it so cool is that we have consistency, something that I will be working hard on myself too."

Irwin called time on his road racing career after winning a record 11 consecutive Superbike races over the Triangle circuit.