North West 200: Road race confirmed to return in May after two-year absence
- Published
The North West 200 international road races were last staged in 2019
Race organisers have confirmed that the North West 200 international road races will return to the calendar in 2022 after a two-year absence.
The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The race week will take place from 8 to14 May, with fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils renewing their title sponsorship.
Peter Hickman, Glenn Irwin, Dean Harrison and John McGuinness are among the riders who have already signalled their intention to compete at the race.
The 2022 North West meeting will be the first international road race to take place since action at all the world's leading events came to a halt with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
The Isle of Man TT races will also return to the international road racing schedule this year, while there is speculation that the Ulster Grand Prix may be back on the roster in August.
"Although the pandemic stopped the race action over the past two seasons, the management team of Coleraine and District Motor Club have been working hard to ensure the structures and support that underpin the North West 200 have remained in place for the day when we would be able to make this announcement," said club chairman Stanleigh Murray.
"We are delighted to have retained the support of our loyal title sponsors as we plan the return of one of Northern Ireland's major sporting attractions," he added.
'We're finally back' - four-time winner Irwin
Glenn Irwin welcomes the return of the North West 200 to the road racing calendar
Glenn Irwin, winner of the last four Superbike races to be staged over the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit, welcomed news of the event's return as "absolutely fantastic".
"It's one of those moments where you pinch yourself and think, 'we're finally back'," said the 30-year-old of the announcement.
"There's nothing I enjoy more than racing at the North West 200. It is and always will be my favourite road race. I'm buzzing.
"I am so looking forward to making my Honda roads debut."
Glenn Irwin has won the last four Superbike races held over the Triangle circuit
The Carrickfergus rider has undergone shoulder and arm pump surgery ahead of the 2022 season in which he will again compete for Honda Racing in the British Superbike Championship and make his long-awaited debut at the TT.
In recent days he has been struggling to overcome a bout of Covid-19, the second time he has contracted the virus.
"A few days were really rough for me with it there. I had a stint in the Royal [Victoria Hospital]. I felt better the first time I had it, the second time turned out worse for me," explained Irwin.