BBC Sport NI at the NW200

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Ian Hutchinson says he "kept believing" that he could return to being competitive in motorcycle road racing after suffering adversity in the form of a number of serious injury and illness setbacks which threatened to derail his career completely.

The Yorkshireman was speaking after finishing third in Thursday's Superstock race at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland.

The 45-year-old had multiple operations after suffering compound fractures to his leg in a crash at Silverstone in 2010, the same year that he won a record five races in one week at the Isle of Man TT.

Hutchinson displayed unimaginable resilence by heroically bouncing back to take his overall tally of TT wins to 16 in subsequent years but a major crash in the 2017 Senior TT saw him suffer another crushing blow in the form of a fractured femur.

After two lost years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the three-time North West winner then suffered a stroke in 2023 which resulted in him have his racing licence revoked.

He returned to road racing action again in 2024 but had to settle for a series of top-15 TT finishes.

"It's been a nightmare really. Eight years of being nowhere near the pace but I kept believing in myself," Hutchinson told BBC Sport NI.

"I carried on going, training hard, everything, its been hard.

"I hope my daughter is watching and has seen that Daddy can still ride."

Hutchinson was riding for the MLav Racing team, who were making their bow at the North West under team manager Michael Laverty.

"MLav gave me a ring in November about doing this project and it sort of came together in the last four weeks or so," he explained.

"It's been very rushed but we've got there and I've been believing ever since my 2017 crash that I could come back.

"Two years after that I was bad with a frame on my leg, then there was Covid, then I had the stroke.

"This [the podium] is massive."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Davey Todd led from start to finish to claim his first Superbike win at the North West 200 on Thursday night.

Riding a BMW for the 8TEN Racing team, the Yorkshireman had just two tenths of a second to spare over runner-up Dean Harrison at the finishing line.

Todd's team-mate Peter Hickman, the pole position man, was a further 1.4 seconds adrift in completing the podium places, with Michael Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson and Jamie Coward completing the top six.

The leading three riders were all targeting a first NW200 Superbike win.

Glenn Irwin had dominated the feature blue riband class of the meeting since 2017, racking up 11 consecutive successes before deciding to end his road racing career.

Todd had previously won six races over the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit, four in the Supersport class and two Superstock victories in 2024.

Todd got off to a flying start off the line but was chased down by Honda Racing rider Harrison throughout the four-lap sprint.

Harrison set the fastest lap of the race on his second circuit at 124.125mph but fell just short of recording his first win at the meeting, instead having to settle for his 11th podium finish.

Dunlop's fourth position belied the fact that he suffered bumps and bruises in a spill during Superstock qualifying earlier on Thursday.

A delighted Todd said after the race that it was "really special" to chalk up the Superbike win that had "been eluding him for quite a while".

Last year's Senior TT winner had finished runner-up to Irwin in all three Superbike outings 12 months ago.

Todd is the first rider from outside Northern Ireland to win a Superbike race since fellow Englishman McGuinness triumphed in 2012.

North West all-time wins record holder Alastair Seeley retired with mechanical problems.

Superbike results

1 Davey Todd (Eng, BMW)

2 Dean Harrison (Eng, Honda)

3 Peter Hickman (Eng, BMW)

4 Michael Dunlop (NI, BMW)

5 Ian Hutchinson (Eng, BMW)

6 Jamie Coward (Eng, BMW)

7 Erno Kostamo (Fin, BMW)

8 John McGuinness (Eng, Honda)

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Peter Hickman led an 8Ten Racing one-two as he beat team-mate Davey Todd in Superbike qualifying at the North West 200.

Hickman, who has never won a Superbike race at the international road race, set a blistering final lap of 4:19.168 to take pole for the three Superbike races.

Todd was 1.106 seconds behind Hickman, will Dean Harrison had to settle for third after leading most of the session.

Alastair Seeley was fourth and Michael Dunlop rounded out the top five.

Todd, Harrison and Seeley were split by lone tenth of a second over an 8.9 mile lap.

Jamie Coward was an impressive sixth, while Ian Hutchinson, Erno Kostamo, John McGuinness and Paul Jordan completed the top 10.

The first Superbike race takes place on Thursday evening before two more outings on Saturday - including the feature North West 200 feature race.

Superbike qualifying results

1. Peter Hickman (BMW) 4:19.168 (124.599 mph)

2. Davey Todd (BMW) +1.106 (124.069 mph)

3. Dean Harrison (Honda) +0.015 (124.062 mph)

4. Alastair Seeley (BMW) +0.095 (124.017 mph)

5. Michael Dunlop (BMW) +2.209 (122.974 mph)

6. Jamie Coward (BMW) +2.240 (121.933 mph)

7. Ian Hutchinson (BMW) +0.647 (121.636 mph)

8. Erno Kostamo (BMW) +0.339 (121.481 mph)

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Honda's Dean Harrison has pipped Richard Cooper to pole position in Supersport qualifying at the North West 200.

Harrison, who has never won at the North West 200, claimed top spot with his final lap to beat Cooper, who took pole in the Supertwins, by just 0.104 seconds.

Davey Todd was third, Michael Dunlop was fourth on his Ducati and Peter Hickman was fifth.

Paul Jordan and Adam McLean continued their strong performances in qualifying in sixth and seventh, while Jamie Coward was another strong contender in eighth.

Mike Browne was ninth, but Alastair Seeley, who has more victories in than any other rider at the North West 200, was only 10th in qualifying.

The first Supersport race takes place on Thursday evening in the second of three races around the Triangle circuit.

Supersport qualifying

1. Dean Harrison (Honda) 4:34.296 (117.727 mph)

2. Richard Cooper (Yamaha)+0.104 (117.682 mph)

3. Davey Todd (Honda) +1.325 (117.117 mph)

4. Michael Dunlop (Ducati) +0.445 (116.928 mph)

5. Peter Hickman (Triumph) +1.248 (116.402 mph)

6. Paul Jordan (Honda) +0.279 (116.285 mph)

7. Adam McLean (Yamaha) +0.443 (116.100 mph)

8. Jamie Coward (Triumph) +0.446 (115.906 mph)

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Davey Todd battled through mechanical issues to set the fastest time in Superstock qualifying at the North West 200.

Todd missed the opening half of the hour-long session with an issue on his BMW, but posted the fastest time on his final flying lap around the 8.9 mile Triangle Circuit.

Alastair Seeley, returning to the event after missing 2024, was half a second off Todd in second after leading the majority of the session.

Peter Hickman was third for 8Ten Racing, while Dean Harrison and home favourite Michael Dunlop rounded out the top five.

Dunlop had a high side coming out of the Magherabuoy chicane towards the end of the session but got out in the Supersport and Superbike sessions at the end of the day.

Just like in the Supertwins, which opened Thursday's running, the Superstocks had one session to qualify after the disrupted day of action due to red flags on Wednesday.

Todd will lead the gird away for the opening Superstock race on Thursday evening and the second race on Saturday.

Superstock qualifying results

1. Davey Todd (BMW) 4:22.131 (123.190 mph)

2. Alastair Seeley (BMW) +0.514 (122.949 mph)

3. Peter Hickman (BMW) +2.027 (122.008 mph)

4. Dean Harrison (Honda) +0.739 (121.668 mph)

5. Michael Dunlop (BMW) +0.587 (121.339 mph)

6. Jamie Coward (BMW) +0.027 (121.387 mph)

7. Mike Browne (BMW) +0.601 (121.113 mph)

8. Paul Jordan (Honda) +0.295 (120.980 mph)

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at the North West 200

Image source, Pacemaker

Richard Cooper has qualified on pole position for Saturday's two Supertwin races at the North West 200.

KMR Kawasaki rider Cooper, who has four wins in the class to his name, was fastest ahead of home riders Adam McLean and Paul Jordan.

Peter Hickman, who won both races last year, was fourth while former MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams rounded out the top five.

After three red flags on Wednesday forced the Supertwins' qualifying session to be cancelled, the class opened Thursday's running with an hour-long session.

England's Cooper and Yamaha rider McLean traded fastest times in the early stages of the session.

Cooper eventually pulled clear with a lap of 4:48.326, which was 0.754 seconds faster than McLean.

They will be joined on the front row for the two races on Saturday by Jordan, who has had an impressive start to his North West 200.

Hickman, McWilliams and Michael Sweeney will start on the second row, while the returning Jamie Coward and Michael Rutter round out the top eight.

Cooper, who switched bikes mid-session, said he felt "really good" after the sole qualifying session.

"I'm really happy with the KMR Kawasaki, we made good steps with it and I feel there is a little bit to come from the suspension.

"Everyone is making strides and the times are getting tighter. I think Hicky [Peter Hickman] is always going to be a dark horse, Adam McLean is on his new Yamaha and you can never count out Jeremy McWilliams."

Supertwins qualifying results

1. Richard Cooper (Kawasaki) 4:48.326 (111.998 mph)

2. Adam McLean (Yamaha) +0.754 (111.706 mph)

3. Paul Jordan (Aprillia) +5.229 (109.721 mph)

4. Peter Hickman (Yamaha) +1.325 (109.230 mph)

5. Jeremy McWilliams (Aprillia) +0.535 (109.032 mph)

6. Michael Sweeney (Aprillia) +0.409 (108.882 mph)

7. Jamie Coward (Kawasaki) +0.780 (108.596 mph)

8. Michael Rutter (Yamaha) +2.088 (107.839 mph)

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Isle of Man road racer Conor Cummins says he is looking forward to his "brand new" start with the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing team at this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

The Manxman has been competing at the North West since 2006 with best finishes of second in a Superbike race in 2010 and a Supersport event in 2014.

He picked up fifth and sixth places at last year's meeting but his long-standing association with the Padgett's Racing outfit ended soon after as they parted ways during the Isle of Man TT.

The 37-year-old will ride a BMW in the Superbike and Superstock classes and a Ducati Panigale V2 in the Supersport category.

"I'm very optimistic, really excited about it," Cummins told BBC Sport NI.

"John [Burrows] and the team have had a lot of experience on these bikes [the BMWs]. It's still new to me although I did have a run out in July [at Armoy] on another BMW.

"I realised then definitely the next step on my career [was] to jump on a BMW and I'm grateful to John for giving me a shot at it."

The Ducati represents a new challenge for Cummins.

"The Ducati Supersport is something completely different for me. I've never ridden a Ducati before but obviously it's an iconic brand and the V2 is going to be some weapon on the track, no doubt.

"The North West 200 is a go-to event for me. It was my first international road race back in 2006. I love coming back to it and coming back to Northern Ireland and racing at one of the most iconic events on the calendar."

Cummins described his 2024 season as "far from ideal" but adds that he is "definitely raring to go" for the new campaign.

"I go racing to win races, that's my goal, and the TT remains top of the priority list for me, that's why I do all this testing, all this racing, just to put me in a good position, I'm excited. Brand new team, new bike, new manufacturer.

"I'm definitely going to come back and do Armoy. I did that last July and loved it."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Richard Cooper says the North West 200 is one of his favourite events on the racing calendar, his love for the event accentuated by the success he has enjoyed over the Triangle circuit since making his debut in 2019.

The 42-year-old Nottingham rider grabbed a second place in his first year and has won four Supertwins races at the meeting, adding a Supersport victory in 2024 to his tally of wins.

"I've had some great results. Some difficult times, but fundamentally one of my favourite weeks of the year for sure and on top of things I like to do in a year," Cooper told BBC Sport NI.

"I came here in 2019 with no expectations, built up nicely and ended the week with a podium. Since that we've been competitive in every class we've ridden and when you get results you begin to enjoy a place.

"The fact you can have a little bit of a holiday too and enjoy the seaside it makes it a special place. When the sun shines there's no place like it."

Despite excelling in the Superbike and Superstock classes during much of his career, three-time British champion Cooper has opted to concentrate on lower capacity classes in recent years with familiar teams.

"To ride a big bike you need time and you need a good team around you and I haven't reached out for those reasons.

"The last time I came on the big bike was 2022 and I was successful and finished second to Glenn Irwin but I'm not getting any younger.

"I am feeling my age at times and the two smaller classes are more suited to me and put me in the best position to be competitive."

The former double British Superstock 1000cc champion will again campaign a Yamaha for the Northern Ireland-based BPE by Russell Racing team this year, along with a Kawasaki for Ryan Farquhar's KMR outfit.

"They are two teams that I enjoy riding for and they put 100% effort in. Equally I give them effort back.

"We work well together, they want to provide me with the best machinery possible and to give them results is what I want to do. Continuity has been a key for me."

Cooper lost out to Peter Hickman in both Twins races last year but is keen to turn the tables on his compatriot.

"I'm trying to improve the Kawasaki ER6. It's quite an old bike but we're trying to find small improvements.

"The new rules allow these other bikes on to the grid now and there is no hiding the advantages they have but we are still competitive. It's still possible to win."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Dean Harrison says he hopes to be challenging for wins at the front of the pack when he contests this year's North West 200 with a full stable of machinery at his disposal from his Honda Racing team.

The Bradford rider, now resident in Laxey in the Isle of Man, rode only a Superstock bike at last year's meeting but still managed a second place in that class, followed by third position in Saturday's feature Superbike race at the event held over the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit.

His team did not field Superbike or Supersport machines at the meeting 12 months ago because of "the demands of the 2024 calendar and schedule, combined with challenges in the supply chain regarding parts and materials".

"The North West 200 is one of the biggest races of the year for us. We had our ups and downs last year but this year we've got a lot more preparation under our belt so we're hitting the ground running with what we learnt last year," Harrison told BBC Sport NI.

"It did set us back a little bit but it was just one of those things. With it being a brand new bike and everything coming a little bit late it didn't help the situation.

"We had to come with one bike but regardless I think we did a good job."

The 36-year-old is hopeful of achieving a maiden North West win in his second season with the Japanese manufacturer, for whom he is also competing in this year's British Supersport series.

"If we can chip away with all three bikes this year hopefully we'll go one better and be at the front," added the three-time Isle of Man TT winner.

"I really enjoyed the time in British Supersport last year so hopefully we can build on that this year."

Image source, Pacemaker

Australian Josh Brookes possesses the pedigree to compete at the sharp end of any race meeting.

Brookes was crowned British Superbike champion in 2015 and 2020 and is having another tilt at the championship this year on board a Honda Fireblade with the DAO Racing team.

The 42-year-old teams up with Jackson Racing on Hondas for the North West as he takes part in the Triangle races for the first time since 2022.

The Sydney rider began his NW200 career in 2013 and set a new lap record for the circuit 12 months later in finishing second to Michael Dunlop in a Superbike race, his best result at the event to date.

In 2024 Brookes secured his first rostrum finish at the TT courtesy of his second place in the blue riband Senior TT finale.

His fastest lap of the Triangle circuit is 123.141mph set in 2022.

Image source, Pacemaker

Dean Harrison is in his second season as part of the Honda Racing team and despite 10 North West podiums is still chasing his first victory at the event.

In 2024, the Yorkshire rider, now resident in the Isle of Man, had a best finish of second in Thursday's Superstock race, followed by a third place in one of Saturday's Superbike races.

He sits third in the all-time list of fastest laps at the North West with a speed of 124.973 set in the feature race of the meeting in 2024.

The 36-year-old was a regular on the grid in the British Superbike series in recent years but has switched to compete in the Supersport class at the end of the 2024 season and for 2025.

A three-time Southern 100 Solo Championship winner on the big bikes, Harrison's best Superbike result at the North West to date is a second place in 2018.

He was the victor in the Senior TT of 2019, one of his three triumphs at the annual Isle of Man road race, in which he has racked up 30 podiums.

Image source, Pacemaker

All-time North West 200 wins record holder Alastair Seeley returns to the event this year after sitting out the 2024 edition because he was unable to acquire suitable competitive machinery.

The 29-time winner will ride an SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW in the trio of Superbike outings as he aims to add to his tally of four victories in that class so far, his most recent in 2017.

Seeley's accomplished CV also includes a benchmark 13 Supersport wins at the North West and 10 in the Superstocks, also a record.

The 45-year-old is a former British Superstock and Supersport champion and holds the record for the number of podium finishes at the North West with 43, those rostrum spots gathered over a 15-year period between 2008 and 2023.

He rides the BMW he rode as part of the TAS Racing set-up on his last North West appearance in 2023.

His fastest lap to date is 124.484mph set in 2023.

Image source, Pacemaker

Isle of Man TT course lap record holder Peter Hickman targets a first North West Superbike win to add to the two Superstock wins he has achieved so far and his 2024 Supertwins double.

The 38-year-old returns to the international meeting with a fleet of machines which include 8Ten Racing BMWs for the big bike classes.

The Lincolnshire rider's career to date includes finishing in the top six in the overall British Superbike standings on four occasions.

He has 14 TT wins to his name, including three in the Superbike race and three in the Senior.

Hickman is also a four-time winner of the Macau Grand Prix and secured a record seven wins at the most recent running of the Ulster Grand Prix in 2019, when he also set the course lap record.

Hickman has stood on the podium 10 times already at the North West, holds the Supersport lap record and his best lap speed of 124.799mph sees him sit fourth in the all-time list of fastest laps.

He is again contending the British Superbike Championship in 2025.

Image source, Pacemaker

Davey Todd ensured that Irwin did not have things all his own way in the Superbike events in 2024, the Yorkshireman coming a close second to his rival in each of the three races.

The 29-year-old remains on BMW machinery this year but has swapped the colours of the Milwaukee by TAS Racing team for his new 8Ten Racing Team as he aims to add to his six race wins and 16 rostrum finishes to date.

The two-time British Superstock 1000cc champion has moved up to compete in the feature British Superbike class on short circuits this term and is having his first competitive outing in the opening round at Oulton Park over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Todd's three victories at last year's NW200, two in Supersports and one in Superstocks, doubled his career tally of successes at the meeting, his maiden triumph having been achieved in the Supersports in 2019.

With his burgeoning CV also including Senior TT and Superstock TT wins, few would bet against the Saltburn-on-Sea pilot achieving a first Superbike win around the Triangle this week.

He currently sits as the second fastest rider ever around the 8.9-mile course with a lap speed of 125.673mph, set 12 months ago.