Motorbikes

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Michael Dunlop says he is "keen to get back on the bike and get riding" after being confirmed as a late entry for this weekend's Cookstown 100 event.

The 29-time Isle of Man TT winner has recovered from a crash at last weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours and will feature in the first event of the Irish road racing season.

"I'm not too bad, just a few bumps and bruises...black and blue one side and black and blue the other side," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI.

"Whatever way I landed, I got a bit of a doing but my suit and helmet did a great job. I'm black and blue from the impact but no broken bones."

Dunlop, 35, is testing Ducati V2 and Superstock machines ahead of the North West 200, which begins on 7 May.

In 2024, the Ballymoney rider surpassed his uncle Joey's record of Isle of Man TT wins and he admits that "took a lot of weight off my shoulders" ahead of this year.

"Last year, he TT was obviously the main objective," he said.

"I was just a bit disappointed with the North West, obviously picking up an injury here last year hindered me.

"I'm looking forward to getting to the North West and having a real good go at it. The bikes are looking well, we've a bit of work to do with the Superbike, we were left high and dry a little bit and we're working hard to get it done.

"Hopefully we get out on it very shortly and at the North West put a show on and then leads us on to the TT."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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"Do you really understand what living is if you never put your life at any risk?"

This reflection by long-time race chaplain Reverend John Kirkpatrick is one of several thought-provoking moments in a new BBC film goes behind the scenes of motorcycle road racing to examine what motivates riders to risk their lives in their chosen sport and how they deal with the inherent dangers.

'Ride or Die', a DoubleBand Films production, airs on BBC One across the UK at 22:40 on Thursday 10 April and is available to view on demand on BBC iPlayer.

The programme follows three riders in the weeks leading up to the North West 200 international road races on the north coast of Northern Ireland where riders hit speeds of up to 200mph in their pursuit of glory and high-speed thrills.

Fermanagh native Lee Johnston, a five-time winner who now resides in Huddersfield, had a near fatal accident at the event in 2023 and as he recovers from his extensive injuries he finds himself in a race of his own to be ready for the 2024 meeting.

Johnston, one of the most accomplished and most popular riders in the sport, explains what drives him to return to the saddle despite his brush with death.

Trailblazing female racer Maria Costello is one of only a handful of women in the sport. Having raced for 30 years, Maria explains that it was often in defiance of her mum's wishes that she raced.

However she is now in a different place. Having recently lost her mum to cancer, Maria is determined to get back racing, noting that it gives her something that she needs as she tries to come to terms with her sense of loss.

Republic of Ireland competitor Kevin Keyes is an accomplished short circuit racer but is participating in the much more dangerous sport of road racing for the first time. We join him on his journey as he prepares to tackle the nine-mile Triangle circuit and shares something of his faith and beliefs.

Sense of community

Those taking part are supported by family – who are there to help, count down the laps and to worry.

The film hears how they watch from behind the barriers as their loved ones push the limits and conveys something of the anguish they go through.

We are also told of the very personal journey of the family of Jamie Hodson from Wigan, who was killed at the 2017 Ulster Grand Prix.

His brother Rob recalls how he was involved in the accident. A stark reminder of the grief which results when things go very wrong on the track.

Through the work of retired Presbyterian minister, Reverend Kirkpatrick, the film also examines the relationship between some of those involved in road racing and the Christian faith.

As a race chaplain for more than 30 years, Rev Kirkpatrick has officiated at the funerals of several riders who have lost their lives competing in the sport.

He helps foster a sense of community in the paddock while examining the conflict between the sanctity of life which underpins his Christian faith and a sport that involves great risk but brings great exhilaration and personal fulfilment.

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English rider Richard Cooper won both Supersport races and the two Supertwins events to take a four-timer at the opening round of the Ulster Superbike series at Bishopscourt on Saturday.

The BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha-mounted competitor from Nottingham secured healthy advantages of 12.5 seconds and 8.5 seconds over runner-up Korie McGreevy in the Supersport outings, with Graeme Irwin third on both occasions.

Cooper came home ahead of Gary McCoy and Caolan Irwin in the Twins races on his KMR Racing Kawasaki.

McGreevy edged out Cooper in the first Superbike race of the day on his McAdoo Racing Kawasaki, with Andy Reid making up the podium positions and McCoy, Michael Sweeney and Jonny Campbell completing the top six leaderboard.

McCoy took race two by a mere 0.07 seconds from McGreevy, followed by Cooper, Carl Phillips, Reid and Ross Irwin, with defending champion Campbell, who has switched from Yamaha to BMW machinery, seventh.

McGreevy is the early leader of the championship after the Temple Motorcycle Club's meeting.

Riding his Burrows Engineering by RK Racing machinery, Manxman Conor Cummins was ninth in both Superbike races and claimed fourth and sixth place finishes in the Supersports.

Jack Burrows was a convincing winner of both Lightweight events.

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Leading motorcycle road racing exponents James Hillier and Dominic Herbertson have lost their scheduled rides for this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT events with the news that their WTF (We're The Future) Racing team has withdrawn from the meetings.

An official statement from the team issued on 1 April confirmed the news.

"WTF Racing has today announced the immediate cessation of all road racing activities due to significant commercial circumstances beyond the team's control," the statement read.

The team's sister outfit, OMG Racing, has also withdrawn from the 2025 British Superbike Championship for similar reasons.

The squad won the BSB title last year with Kyle Ryde and has captured two championships for Yamaha during their association.

Hampshire rider Hillier rode Honda machinery for the We're The Future team in 2024, securing a fourth place finish in the blue riband Senior TT and fifth positions in the Superbike and Superstock races.

The 40-year-old was fourth in both Superstock outings at the North West last year and took the same placing in one of the three Superbike races.

Speaking on his Facebook page, Hillier described the news of his team's demise as "a big shock".

"I really didn't see that coming and it's not great timing. Where I stand at the moment I don't quite know.

"I'm trying to make progress to sort some machinery and get something in place. We don't have a whole lot of time but we'll try to work something out to get something in place.

"Funding the operation is the biggest thing in today's economic climate."

Herbertson had been scheduled to race for the team for the first time this season.

The 34-year-old from Hexham clinched his first TT podium last year with a third place in the Supertwins class.

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Alastair Seeley, winner of a record 29 races at the North West 200, has confirmed that he will compete in the Supersport class on Kawasaki machinery at this year's event from 7-10 May.

The Carrickfergus rider will campaign a ZXR 636 Kawasaki prepared by the CD Racing by MSS Performance squad.

Seeley had already revealed that he would ride BMW bikes in the colours of SMS/Nicholl Oils as he returns to the Triangle circuit after sitting out last year's meeting because he was unable to acquire suitable machinery.

The 45-year-old is the most successful Supersport rider in the history of the meeting, having won 13 races in the middleweight class to date, five of those victories coming on Suzukis, four on Kawasakis and four on Yamahas.

"I said I would come back to the North West if I could get competitive machinery and that is what I have now," said Seeley.

"I will be leaving nothing on the table now that we have bikes that are good enough to do the job. Sometimes a year's wait can be worth it because it makes you even hungrier to put on a good show."

Seeley also revealed he has been in 'full scale training mode' since Christmas and has a schedule of Spanish and pre-season BSB tests in place ahead of the new season.

"I will be out there testing alongside the guys I will be racing against at the North West so I will be able to gauge where I am with everything.' he added.

"I want that 30th win and the Supersport races are usually the closest battles at the North West with the result not being sorted out until the last lap. Weather can play a big part as well but I'm not worried about it being wet or dry."

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Finland's Erno Kostamo will lead a strong and experienced European entry at the 2025 North West 200.

Kostamo, who first raced at the international road race in 2019, finished fifth on his Superstock BMW and collected two sixth place finishes in the opening Superbike races last year.

The 2025 North West 200 takes place from 5-10 May on the north coast of Northern Ireland and will be available to watch across BBC Sport NI.

Kostamo, a former Macau Grand Prix winner, will be joined by fellow International Road Race Championship (IRRC) regulars Almaric Blanc and Laurent Hoffman, who return to the NW200.

Belgium's Hoffman is a regular at the North West 200 and in Macau, and will compete in the Superbike and Superstock classes on a BMW.

Blanc is one of three leading French riders to compete at the event. The 38-year-old, who collected a top-10 Superstock finish in 2024, will race a Honda Fireblade in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Eddy Ferre will also race a Fireblade in the Superbike and Superstock classes, while Jonathan will compete on a V2 Ducati in the Supersport class, a RS Aprilia Supertwin as well as BMW machinery in the Superbike and Superstock races.

• Get all the latest ahead of the 2025 North West 200 here

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Northern Ireland's Michael Dunlop finished ninth in the Daytona 200 races in Florida on what was only his second ever appearance at the event.

Dunlop achieved his top-10 placing on a Milwaukee/MD Racing Ducati Panigale V2.

Fellow multiple Isle of Man TT winner Peter Hickman came home fourth on a PHR Performance Triumph 765.

Hickman's team-mate, North West 200 winner Richard Cooper, retired from the race with mechanical problems.

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Multiple World Superbike champions Jonathan Rea and Carl Fogarty are to headline a special event to remember and celebrate the achievements of motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop in Ballymoney on Saturday 24 May.

The JOEY 25 celebration will be held in the 26-time Isle of Man TT winner's hometown, a quarter of a century since the five-time Formula One world champion's passing as a result of an accident at a race in Estonia in July 2000.

A star-studded line-up of riders will assemble to honour the memory of one of Northern Ireland's most revered sportsmen of all time.

A host of British Superbike riders, Joey's former team-mates, rivals and friends will ride 25 of his original bikes in a closed road event around the town centre.

The event is being staged by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in conjunction with Joey's family, who are pleased his life will be remembered 25 years since he died, aged 48.

"We couldn't think of a better way to remember Joey than an event in his hometown," said Joey's wife Linda.

"This will be the biggest collection of Joey's bikes that has ever been brought together, and to have so many of his friends and famous riders take part in this event is very special.

"This landmark anniversary of Joey's passing is a really tough time for the family, and we would like to thank the local council for staging this event, which we hope thousands of people can enjoy."

Jonathan Rea will ride a famous Joey Dunlop bike at the event.

"I am honoured to be on board one of Joey Dunlop's machines at this celebration event in his home town," said the six-time World Superbike champion.

"What a thrill to be able to ride his Isle of Man winning Yamaha TZ750 around the streets of Ballymoney.

"Joey was a hero of mine growing up and he inspired so many riders from this country, including me, to achieve our dreams"

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It has been confirmed that international road racers Peter Hickman and Davey Todd will form a new BMW-backed team for the British Superbike Championship, North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

Hickman and Todd will jointly act as team co-owners of the 8TEN Racing team, whose name is an amalgamation of the riders' TT start numbers.

Hickman is a 14-time TT winner, while Todd broke his duck in terms of wins at the event in 2024 by taking the honours in the Superstock and Senior races.

Todd is moving up to compete in the feature British Superbike class in 2025 after securing the second National Superstock title of his career in 2024.

Both riders had been scheduled to ride BMW bikes for FHO Racing in the forthcoming season but a change of plan will see them compete under a new banner but with the same German manufacturer.

Todd commented: I'm really looking forward to this new chapter of my career, riding and co-owning 8TEN Racing. This structure will be a new dynamic to learn, but I've seen it work across other motorcycle championships like Supercross.

"I'm excited to be more involved in the dealings of the team, as well as building on the success I had with BMW last year which ended with a National title and TT victories."

Hickman said: "The opportunity provided by BMW Motorrad UK to co-own and run 8TEN Racing alongside Davey is an exciting concept, and having run my own team across other classes, the insight and experience I have gained over the last few years should put us in good stead to be competitive.

"We know the M1000 RR very well which will allow some continuity, we'll be looking to continue our success on the roads and relish the challenge of being competitive in the British Superbike Championship."

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Michael Dunlop has entered to ride at the Daytona 200 races in Florida in March on a Milwaukee/MD Racing Ducati V2 Supersport machine.

The record 29-time Isle of Man TT winner tested a Ducati Supersport at the Jerez circuit in Spain in January.

Last season he rode a Triumph 765 at the North West 200, before switching back to his Yamaha R6 at the TT, where he won both races in the middleweight class.

In his only previous appearance at Daytona in 2021, the Northern Ireland rider finished 11th while competing on a Kawasaki 636.

Among the 35-year-old's opposition at the famous American race, which runs from 6-8 March, will be English riders Peter Hickman and Richard Cooper, who will campaign Triumph bikes under the banner of Hickman's PHR team.

In April, Dunlop will take in the Le Mans 24-Hour round of the World Endurance Championship as part of Team LPR Poland on a BMW.

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Alastair Seeley, who has won a record 29 races at the North West 200, will return to the event this year after missing the 2024 meeting.

The Carrickfergus rider will ride BMW machinery for the SMS/Nicholl Oils team in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the event from 7-10 May.

The news was revealed at the official launch of the 2025 North West at BBC Sport NI's Blackstaff Studios on Tuesday night.

Seeley sat out last year's staging of the international road race after failing to find suitable competitive machinery.

"I'm really excited and happy to be back on the north coast in May," said Seeley.

"It's all down to the team. SMS/Nicholl Oils have given me the chance on my old BMW so let's see if we can hit the ground running and start where we left off."

As well as holding the all-time record for most wins over the Triangle circuit, he is also the most successful Superstock rider ever with 12 previous wins in the class, including doubles in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

The 45-year-old is a four-time Superbike race winner and also boasts 13 successes in the Supersport category.

The former British Superstock and Supersport champion holds the Superstock lap record for the 8.9-mile circuit at an average speed of 124.484mph, set in 2023.

Seven of his career victories to date at the North West have come on machinery supplied by German manufacturer BMW.

Seeley finished sixth in last year's British Supersport championship on a Yamaha while the SMS/Nicholl Oils outfit were fifth overall in the Superstock 1000cc standings on British short circuits with Eglinton rider David Allingham on board.

"I said I would only come back if I had competitive bikes and the guys have given me basically my old bike," added Seeley.

"Looking back over times and lap times, they haven't moved on very much so I feel like we'll still be competitive.

"I've got seven bites of the cherry to have a go at it and hopefully we can get one of them at least."

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Jonathan Rea will miss the second round of the World Superbike Championship in Portugal in March as he continues his recovery from multiple foot fractures suffered in a crash during testing at the Phillip Island circuit.

The 38-year-old had already been ruled out of the opening round in Australia this weekend after he had fallen in the closing stages of Monday's first test session.

The six-time world champion will now miss the second race in Portimao on 28-30 March after undergoing successful surgery in Belfast.

"After reviewing the scans from my crash in Australia we made the decision to fly home directly and perform surgery to stabilise and fix the injuries in my foot," Rae explained in a statement released by Yamaha.

"The surgery was successful, and I will continue my recovery at home with my medical team. I want to thank my team, my family and of course all my fans who have been sending me positive messages during these difficult days."

Whilst no time frame was given for his return, Rea will be hoping to recover in time for the third round of the championship, which takes place in the Netherlands on 11-13 April.

The Northern Irishman is in his second campaign with Yamaha after a disappointing debut season for the team in 2024.

He won six straight world titles with Kawasaki between 2015 and 2020 but opted to switch to Yamaha at the end of the 2023 season.

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The launch of the 2025 North West 200 international road race will be streamed on the BBC Sport website.

It will take place on Tuesday, 25 February at 19:00 GMT at the BBC's Blackstaff Studios in Belfast.

There will be a number of the sport's biggest names in attendance, including top riders such as multiple Isle of Man TT winners Davey Todd and Dean Harrison.

Road racing legends John McGuinness and Michael Rutter will also be in Belfast, along with fan favourites Jeremy McWilliams, Michael Sweeney, Conor Cummins and Jamie Coward - who are all set to race on the closed public roads in May.

Glenn Irwin, who has retired from road racing after setting the record number of Superbike wins at the event in 2024, and NW200 record wins holder Alastair Seeley, will also be in attendance.

The launch will take place in front of a live studio audience and BBC Sport NI presenter Stephen Watson will be speaking to the riders on stage.

The North West 200 takes place on the north coast of Northern Ireland from 7-10 May.

Taking place on closed public roads between the towns on Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush, riders can reach speeds of over 200mph around the 8.9 mile Triangle Circuit.

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Joe Yeardsley, Senior Manx Grand Prix winner in 2023, and British Superbike competitor Barry Burrell are among the riders who will make their debuts at the North West 200 in May.

In total, 12 racers attended a two-day induction course this week which included classroom sessions and guided laps of the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit.

Yeardsley, 28, made his Isle of Man TT bow last year and will now tackle Northern Ireland's international road race aboard Aprilia machinery in the Superbike, Superstock and Supertwin classes, plus a Yamaha in the Supersport category.

"The reason I haven't raced at the North West 200 before now was down to finance," said Yeardsley.

"But I got an invite this year from Mervyn Whyte and now that I am working with Trevor Scott [sponsor from Coleraine] it is possible this year.

"I hope to be doing the rest of the Irish Nationals this year as well."

English rider Burrell formerly competed in the feature Superbike class in BSB between 2011 and 2015 but more recently has participated in the F900 BMW Cup series, in which he finished runner-up in 2024.

"I've finally made up my mind to take the plunge and make my road racing debut," the 38-year-old explained.

"I am good friends with Richard Cooper [five-time NW200 race winner] who has done well here and I think now is the right time to do it."

Burrell will ride M1000RR BMWs in the Superbike and Superstock classes at Portrush for the Halliwell Jones BMW team.

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Jonathan Rea will miss this weekend's opening round of the World Superbike Championship in Australia after sustaining multiple foot fractures in a crash during testing at the Phillip Island circuit.

A statement from the 38-year-old's Yamaha Racing team said the six-time world champion had fallen in the closing stages of Monday's first test session.

"He was taken to the circuit medical centre before being transferred to Cowes for further assessment, where it was confirmed he had sustained multiple fractures to the left foot," said a Yamaha team statement.

"He will take no further part in testing or the race weekend."

Rea is in his second campaign with Yamaha after a disappointing debut season for the team in 2024.

The Northern Ireland man won six straight world titles with Kawasaki between 2015 and 2020 but opted to switch to Yamaha at the end of the 2023 season.

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Peter Hickman and Davey Todd look set to be part of a new BMW team for this year's international road races and British Superbike Championship following an announcement that the pair will not after all be competing for the FHO Racing outfit in 2025.

It was announced in November that Yorkshireman Todd would join Hickman in Faye Ho's team for this season but a change of plan means both riders are set to ride BMW bikes under the banner of 8TEN Racing in the forthcoming season.

FHO Racing will now field one rider only in the BSB series, 2024 IDM Superbike champion and World Endurance rider Ilya Mikhalchik, who will make his debut in the championship.

Faye Ho will also continue to support and provide investment to a number of young women in the racing paddock as they seek to progress their careers through numerous British Championship support classes, plus pursue further motorsports activities in new markets in Asia.

"I am a strong advocate of the British Superbike Championship, one of the most entertaining and competitive series in the world," Faye Ho said in an announcement of her team's change of plan on British Superbike.com, external

"However, with my long-term goals looking to push motorsports activities in Asia, as well as to keep supporting young women with opportunities in racing, I've come to realise I cannot fully commit to the previous levels of time that I have given to BSB and Road Racing since becoming team owner in 2021 with additional commitments I have back at home in Macau," she added.

British Superstock champion Todd and TT lap record holder Hickman will campaign the all-new BMW M 1000 RR in 2025 with full details of the new 8TEN team to be announced on 26 February.

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Yorkshireman Jamie Coward is to return to the North West 200 in 2025 with his KTS Racing team after a three-year absence.

Among his stable of machinery will be a factory-backed Triumph for the Supersport class and BMW bikes for the Superbike and Superstock categories.

The 34-year-old secured his first podium result over the Triangle circuit in 2019 when he finished runner-up to Stefano Bonetti in the opening Supertwins outing.

He followed that up with two fifth place finishes in Supertwins and Superstocks when the event returned after a two-year hiatus because of the Covid outbreak in 2022.

Impressed by Coward's fourth place in the second Supersport TT race last June, the Macadam Triumph Factory Racing team have stepped up to partner him and his KTS squad for the middleweight category at the North West and Isle of Man TT.

"I'm looking forward to getting on the new bike and equally looking forward to coming back to the North West," said Coward.

"It's a circuit I've always enjoyed and had good results at so with support from Triumph we should be even closer to the front."

North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte said it was "a major boost to have a road racer of Jamie's calibre back at the North West 200 and fantastic news that he will be representing Triumph with KTS Racing".

"To have official factory machinery on the grid is a very significant development for the event," he added.

The North West 200 practices and race period will be from 7-10 May.

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Motorsport in Northern Ireland is to benefit from a £187,000 investment to benefit health and safety equipment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced.

The equipment will be used at events such as motorbike road racing, car rallies, karting, hill climbs and at race tracks.

Announcing the funding, the Minister said: "Motorsports have always been part of Northern Ireland's world class sporting legacy, attracting riders and spectators from across the globe to events such as the North West 200 and other road racing circuits every year.

"This funding will go towards the purchase of safety bales which can be shared across the sector at road races and other events into the future, helping to make these races as safe as possible.

"The sector will also benefit from investment in other safety equipment, improving safety at race events and for those participating in track days."

He highlighted the need to provide safer conditions for up and coming racers.

"We have some of the best motorsport talent in the world here in Northern Ireland and local races and circuits are important to develop their careers.

"While the danger remains present, as it always will at high speeds, this funding, distributed through Sport NI, will boost rider and driver safety as well as the safety of teams, officials and visitors."

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Michael Dunlop is to compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 on board a BMW M1000RR for Team LRP Poland, one of the series' leading independent outfits.

The 35-year-old will join ex-Grand Prix rider Danny Webb and Enzo Boulom in the Superbike class and will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours event from 17-20 April.

Dunlop will miss the second round at Spa from 6-7 June because of a date clash with the Isle of Man TT and will be replaced by Marek Szkopek.

Last year Dunlop raced at Le Mans in the Superstock category on a Honda, finishing in 16th position.

The 29-time TT winner from Ballymoney, who was named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year on 17 January, has yet to confirm his road racing plans for 2025.