Phillips wins Sunflower Trophy at Bishopscourt

Carl Phillips is the 2025 Ulster Superbike champion

Carl Phillips added his name to the list of illustrious winners of the Sunflower Trophy when he edged out Eugene McManus to collect the coveted silverware at Bishopscourt on Saturday.

Kawasaki-mounted Lisburn man Phillips got the better of Hawk Racing's MasterMac Honda rider McManus by just four tenths of a second at the chequered flag after a race-long battle in the restarted 12-lap race at the County Down circuit.

Jonny Campbell, Dan Brooks, Rhys Irwin and Ryan Gibson made up the top six.

Earlier Randalstown rider McManus, having his first outing on the Honda Fireblade after finishing sixth in the British Supersport series, won the second Superbike race of the weekend from Campbell and Korie McGreevy.

Donegal's Rhys Irwin was a comprehensive victor in Saturday's Supersport 10-lapper, gaving 21.5 seconds to spare over McGreevy, followed by Caolan Irwin, then Darryl Tweed and Christian Elkin.

Cameron Dawson got the better of Elkin by 0.7 seconds in the second Supertwin outing of the weekend.

Phillips took the honours in the opening Superbike race of the weekend on Friday.

Having already clinched this year's Ulster Superbike Championship crown, his second after an initial success in 2019, took victory by 6.9 seconds from BMW-mounted Campbell, with McManus third.

Brooks, McGreevy and Rhys Irwin completed the top six.

Newly crowned British Supersport champion Irwin was a comfortable winner of Supersport race one.

Riding a Suzuki, he enjoyed an advantage of 15.5 seconds over McGreevy at the chequered flag, with Phillips making up the rostrum positions and Elkin fourth.

Adam McLean won the Supertwin race one outing on a Yamaha, ahead of Elkin on a Kawasaki and Dawson on a Triumph.

Tobermore rider McLean had 4.7 seconds to spare over his nearest challenger at the conclusion of the race.