It's been said (probably in a pub) that there are three religions in Northern Ireland: motorbike racing, and the other two. Proof of that was evident last week as local heroes Michael Dunlop, Glenn Irwin, Alastair Seeley, and Lee Johnston represented their home country in the 80th running of the International North West 200. Drawing nearly 150,000 spectators, the NW200 is Northern Ireland's largest annual sporting event.
Weather along the Causeway Coast is always challenging, but fortunately the rain held off for the qualifying sessions as well as Thursday’s racing. Saturday’s forecast however, was right on target. Wet. Despite the soggy conditions which caused numerous red flags and delays, race organizers managed to pull off four of the five scheduled races, only having to cancel the second Superbike race.
England’s Four Horsemen—Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, James Hillier, and Ian Hutchinson—were all on hand to battle it out on the hallowed ground northwest of Belfast. Michael Dunlop was back aboard the Tyco BMW S1000RR, and also putting in an appearance was 47-year-old John McGuinness, back at full strength after missing the last two years due to injury. He rode the SG8 Norton (using the 1,000c Aprilia V-4 motor), as well as the British manufacturer’s new 650cc Superlight bike. All the perennial TT front-runners had a good showing and race fans were witness to a preview of the upcoming IOMTT races, which begin on May 25.
SUPERTWIN
- Stefano Bonetti
- Jamie Coward
- Michael Rutter
SUPERSTOCK
- Peter Hickman
- Glenn Irwin
- Michael Dunlop
SUPERSPORT
- Lee Johnston
- Dean Harrison
- James Hillier
SUPERTWIN
- Jeremy McWilliams
- Christian Elkin
- Michael Rutter
SUPERSTOCK
- James Hillier
- Richard Cooper
- Davey Todd
SUPERSPORT
- Davey Todd
- Derek McGee
- Conor Cummins
SUPERBIKE
- Glenn Irwin
- James Hillier
- Conor Cummins