Motorbikes

Image source, Pacemaker

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.

Image source, Pacemaker

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.

Image source, Pacemaker

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."

Image source, Pacemaker

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.

Image source, Getty Images

Glenn Irwin says his future in the British Superbike Championship is bright as he chases a maiden title.

The 34-year-old from Carrickfergus will now focus on the series after announcing his retirement from road racing on Sunday.

Irwin was pipped to the title by Tommy Bridedwell in 2023 and finished third in the standings this year.

"The next two years in BSB are as healthy as what they have ever been," said Irwin.

"My goal is to be Northern Ireland's first Superbike champion. When I do I'll have completed everything I want to do in bike racing and then it will be about adding to that."

Irwin raced for the PBM Ducati team in 2024 but has yet to officially announce who he he riding for next year.

"I love PBM - we've had 18 Superbike wins in the last two years, five Superbike win at he North West 200 and all the other success.

"I want to continue - things look pretty good but there's a few things to get over the line. There's always interest from other teams and I'm sure everyone is after a ride with PBM."

Image source, Burrows Engineering RK Racing

Conor Cummins has signed a deal with the Burrows Engineering RK Racing that will see the Manx rider compete for the team at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 as well as the National Superstock Championship.

The Isle of Man rider replaces Dominic Herbertson in the Northern Ireland-based team.

Cummins, 38, will ride a BMW M 1000 RR in the superbike and superstock classes during the road racing events and will also compete for the team in the supersport class in machinery that has still be confirmed.

The Manxman has achieved 13 podium finishes in his home TT event although he is still waiting for his first career win around the mountain course.

"Having Conor on board is something we’re all massively excited about,” says team principal John Burrows.

"I never thought I’d be having a conversation with him about signing for the team, but I’m delighted it’s now official. It’s a mark of intent for us to sign someone of Conor’s calibre.”

Cummins is the sixth fastest rider around the 37.73-mile mountain course, courtesy of a personal best lap speed of 133.116mph in 2022, when he finished third in the Senior TT, which is his most recent rostrum at the event.

"John and I go back a long way from when I competed against him on the Irish roads and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, both as a rider and a team manager," said Cummins.