It's 'probably' my last North West 200 - Hickman

Peter Hickman in action during the Superbike race on his 8TEN Racing BMW

Four-time winner North West 200 winner Peter Hickman says he has "probably" competed in his "last-ever" North West 200.

The Lincolnshire rider declined to take his place on the podium after a controversial first Superbike race on Saturday saw Michael Dunlop awarded the win over Hickman's 8TEN Racing team-mate Davey Todd after Dunlop had initially been penalised 10 seconds.

The Northern Ireland rider was one of a bunch of riders contesting the lead on the opening lap when he and Hickman missed the entry to the Mather's Cross chicane and went straight on.

Hickman pulled off to the left to take his 10-second penalty in the 'stop box' while Dunlop proceeded and was given a 10-second penalty for his alleged infringement and the official timings adjusted accordingly.

Davey Todd, winner of Thursday's Superbike race, had built up a seemingly unassailable 10-second advantage at the front but despite losing significant ground as a result of the first-lap incident Dunlop remarkably battled his way to the front on his BMW and ended up crossing the line first.

Dunlop's 10-second penalty was then rescinded after the race and the Ballymoney man awarded the victory, much to the dismay of Todd and his 8TEN Racing team-mate, third-place finisher Hickman.

"It's been a bit of a sad end, really. There's a lot of stuff going on and a lot of things have happened that shouldn't have happened," Hickman said on BBC Sounds.

"That will probably be my last-ever North West unfortunately. We're not going to be here and be treated the way we've been treated.

"Rules have been bent for certain people and not others. It's not right, it's not fair so that's it I'm afraid."

After the race, Event Director Mervyn Whyte said in an interview with BBC Sport NI: "Results are always provisional. The footage will be looked at afterwards and if there is a change required then a change will be made.

"The stewards are currently reviewing the situation at the current time and if it has to be changed, it has to be changed.

"Bearing in mind they are always provisional results until they're approved by the stewards in the meeting."

Organisers told BBC Sport NI that there were no changes to any results following the meeting of stewards at the conclusion of the event.