Motorbikes

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Davey Todd set the fastest qualifying lap of the week for the Isle of Man TT during Saturday's curtailed session over the Mountain Course.

The 29-year-old Yorkshireman sat out the early stages of the session but then went out on track and put in a blistering lap of 133.155mph on his 8TEN Racing BMW Superstock machine.

The two-time TT winner was 22.5 seconds faster than his nearest challenger in the Superstock category on Saturday, Michael Dunlop having circulated at 130.262mph.

Dean Harrison was quickest of the Superbikes at 132.484mph, that speed shy of the benchmark 133.069mph lap for the class that he recorded on Wednesday evening.

Michael Dunlop produced his fastest lap of the week to move up to fifth in the overall Superbike leaderboard, a speed of 130.762 on his Rokit BMW.

The solo session for the 1000cc bikes was stopped prematurely because of low cloud descending on the higher parts of the circuit.

The riders also had to contend with blustery winds during the session, making conditions far from ideal.

Sidecars were subsequently afforded the opportunity to go out on track but were halted at Parliament Square in Ramsey where they were met by travelling marshals, who escorted them around the remainder of the course.

Adverse weather has blighted this year's TT qualifying week with a number of sessions being cancelled or cut short.

Qualifying leaderboard for all sessions

Superbikes - 1 Dean Harrison (Honda) 133.069mph; 2 Davey Todd (BMW) 132.673; 3 Peter Hickman (BMW) 131.326; 4 Conor Cummins (BMW) 131.027; 5 Michael Dunlop (BMW) 130.762; 6 Nathan Harrison (Honda) 130.172

Superstocks - 1 Davey Todd (BMW) 133.155mph; 2 Dean Harrison (Honda) 132.853mph; 3 Peter Hickman (BMW) 132.290; 4 Michael Dunlop (BMW) 130.387; 5 Ian Hutchinson (BMW) 129.756; 6 Mike Browne (BMW) 129.585

Supersports - 1 Dean Harrison (Honda); 2 Michael Dunlop (Ducati) 127.739; 3 Peter Hickman (Triumph) 127.543; 4 Davey Todd (Honda) 126.852; 5 Josh Brookes (Honda) 125.892; 6 James Hillier (Kawasaki) 125.510

Supertwins - 1 Michael Dunlop (Paton) 122.159mph; 2 Michael Evans (Kawasaki) 121.426; 3 Dominic Herbertson 121.194; 4 Mike Browne (Kawasaki) 120.816; 5 Davey Todd (Paton) 120.309; 6 Rob Hodson (Paton) 119.521

Sidecars - 1 Ryan/Callum Crowe (Honda) 120.202mph; 2 Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley (Honda) 116.638; 3 Ben Birchall/Patrick Rosney (Honda) 115.129

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Peter Hickman is being treated in hospital for chest, back, shoulder and facial injuries after crashing during Friday evening's qualifying session for the Isle of Man TT.

Hickman was flown to Noble's Hospital on the island by Airmed helicopter after crashing at the Kerrowmoar section of the circuit on the first lap of the session while riding his Superstock machine.

The Lincolnshire racer was was reported as being "conscious and stable" by race organisers, who added in an update released on Saturday morning that he was "comfortable" and "in good spirits".

Red flags were displayed to halt the qualifying session after the incident and the scheduled programme was ultimately cancelled because of incoming rain.

Hickman is a 14-time TT race winner and holds the absolute lap record for the 37.73-mile Mountain Course with a speed of 136.358mph, set in 2023.

The 38-year-old was entered for the 2025 TT under the 8TEN Racing team he owns and manages with team-mate Davey Todd for the 1000cc races, and under the PHR Racing team he also heads up for the other solo races.

In Friday afternoon's qualifying, Hickman had set the third fastest time of the week in the Superbike class, the second quickest in the Superstock category and he sat third in the Supersport leaderboard.

He also competes regularly in the British Superbike Championship and the North West 200 road races in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile another rider, Tom Weeden, was also airlifted to hospital after crashing in Friday afternoon's qualifying session.

Race organisers say he is receiving treatment for back, leg and ankle injuries.

Image source, Pacemaker

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea said it was "an absolute privilege" to be involved in a celebration of the life of motorcycle racing hero Joey Dunlop in Ballymoney, County Antrim, on Saturday.

The 'Joey 25' tribute day was being held a quarter of a century after the revered 26-time Isle of Man TT winner was killed in an accident at a race in Estonia in July 2000.

The event brought together a plethora of famous names from two-wheel motorsport past and present, including Rea, another multiple World Superbike champion in Carl Fogarty, Glenn Irwin, Brian Reid, Phillip McCallen and Ron Haslam.

The special celebration to remember Joey and honour his legacy was hosted by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, in conjunction with the Dunlop family.

"Joey Dunlop was an icon, not just in motorcycle racing but as a sportsman in the country," Rea, 38, told BBC Sport NI.

"I grew up in race paddocks and didn't really understand the magnitude of Joey or the legacy left.

"My father was racing against him but over time I've understood all his accomplishments and more of the human he was, the effect he had on the fans and the people here, understood what a legend he was, someone we can be really proud of."

Thousands of people defied the inclement weather conditions to commemorate the life and achievements of the five-time TT Formula One world champion, who also racked up 24 Ulster Grand Prix victories and 13 North West 200 successes in an illustrious career.

The occasion to mark the landmark anniversary included a closed-roads parade around the town centre with top riders using Joey Dunlop's original machines.

"It's a really good day, not just to honour Joey, but everyone involved in the day has been really pumped to be part of it," added Rea.

"I thought there would be a lot of people here but it has blown me away the crowd that came out."

Image source, Isle of Man TT

Republic of Ireland rider Mike Browne is to ride for KTS Racing in the 1000cc classes at the Isle of Man TT after the team's regular rider Jamie Coward was ruled out of the event through injury.

Coward confirmed earlier this week that he was withdrawing from the TT because of injuries sustained in a crash at the recent North West 200 international road races in Northern Ireland.

Browne will now be on board Honda machinery for the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races.

The Cork rider had been scheduled to ride BMW bikes for the MLav Racing outfit, for whom he competed at the North West.

Browne will retain his Yamaha ride with BPE by Russell Racing for the Supersport races and his KMR Kawasaki machine for the Supertwins outings.

The 34-year-old made his TT debut in 2019 and has achieved two podium finishes to date, along with a personal best lap of 130.872mph.

"Firstly, I would like to wish Jamie a speedy recovery. I am very keen to get going with the KTS Racing team and have high hopes to better the results of last year," said Browne.

Meanwhile, KTS Racing powered by Stanley Stewart Team Owner, Kevin Watret added: "We are all gutted to have Jamie injured following his off at the North West 200 and wish him a speedy recovery.

"We welcome Mike on board with KTS. Let's see if we can get him some good results."

Image source, Getty Images

British Superbike Championship leader Bradley Ray held off the challenge of Glenn Irwin to complete a treble of wins at Donington.

England's Ray had already won Saturday's 20-lap race and Sunday's sprint before the Yamaha rider led from first lap to last in the weekend's finale.

Rory Skinner, Kyle Ryde and Leon Haslam were in early pursuit, but it was Irwin who established himself as Ray's biggest threat from lap 10.

The PBM Ducati rider bridged the gap across the closing laps but could not make the move that would have denied Ray his hat-trick.

After his latest trio of wins, Ray now leads the championship on 86 points, 12 ahead of Irwin with last year's champion, Kyle Ryde, eight further back.

The championship resumes at Snetterton on 20 June.

Image source, Pacemaker

Glenn Irwin finished fourth in Saturday's opening British Superbike race of the weekend at Donington.

The 20-lap event was won by Yamaha rider Brad Ray, with defending champion Kyle Ryde second on a machine provided by the same manufacturer, and Australian two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes third for DAO Racing Honda, their first-ever BSB podium.

For Brookes, it was a first rostrum finish in the championship since 2023.

Ray was the early leader, before Irwin hit the front, but under pressure from his pursuer, the PBM Ducati rider ran too hot into Melbourne Loop on lap 14 and subsequently fell out of the podium positions.

Rory Skinner came home fifth for the Cheshire Mouldings Ducati by TAS Racing team.

Andrew Irwin was eighth for Honda Racing, compatriot Scott Swann 12th and Richard Kerr 16th.

Ray now leads the standings on 50 points, six points ahead of Glenn Irwin, with Leon Haslam a further two points in arrears.

The sprint race and the second feature race will be staged on Sunday.

Meanwhile Ben Currie won the Supersport sprint race, with Donegal's Rhys Irwin third, Dubliner and five-time series champion Jack Kennedy fourth and Eugene McManus fifth. Lee Johnston was 12th.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's Jonathan Rea finished 10th in the first World Superbike race of the weekend at the Most circuit in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

The race's winner BMW-mounted Toprak Razgatlioglu, of Turkey, overtook early leader Nicolo Bulega with 19 laps to go and had six seconds to spare over the Italian Ducati rider at the chequered flag, with Danilo Petrucci a further four seconds adrift in third.

Six-time champion Rea crossed the line 22.6 seconds behind Razgatlioglu to achieve his best result of the season to date.

The 38-year-old missed the first three rounds of the series in Australia, Portugal and the Netherlands as he recovered from a serious injury to his left foot sustained in a crash during testing at Phillip Island in February.

Rea finished 19th, 16th and 18th on his return to action at the Cremona round in Italy two weeks ago.

Britain's Alex Lowes was fourth in Saturday's race, with Alvaro Bautista working his way up the field from 16th to take fifth after being involved in a collision with Andrea Locatelli and Michael van der Mark at the opening chicane on lap one.

The incident ruled Locatelli and Van der Mark out of the remainder of the race.

Bulega heads the championship standings on 218 points, with two-time champion Razgatlioglu 29 points in arrears on 189.

The Superpole sprint race and Race Two will take place on Sunday.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

English rider Jamie Coward has returned home following an accident at the NW200 on Saturday.

Coward was taken to hospital in Coleraine after a crash in the opening Supertwins race at Quarry Bend on Saturday.

His wife Sally Coward confirmed on social media that he was returning home to England "battered and bruised with some injuries but still smiling".

"Lots of rest needed but we know Jamie," she continued in a post on X, external.

"Can't thank everyone enough, especially all the medical team and hospital staff, forever grateful."

Image source, Pacemaker

Road racer Damian Horan has explained that his condition is improving in hospital after he underwent a fifth operation to treat injuries sustained in a crash at the Cookstown 100 road races in early April.

The Republic of Ireland rider's accident occurred in the Open race and he was airlifted from the Orritor circuit to hospital by air ambulance.

"So over 2 weeks have passed since my big accident in the Open race in Cookstown and I have definitely improved a lot in that time although I am still immobile and confined to bed most of my bruising and swelling has gone," explained Horan on his Facebook page, external.

"Got through surgery no.5 yesterday which was plastic surgery to finalise the skin flap and graft on my right shin and once that has a bit of healing time they can go back in and sort my knee and tib/fib but all heading in the right direction.

"Hip has been pinned and plated , femur has a nail through it as it was snapped so they are sorted."

Athlone man Horan went on to explain the harrowing nature of all he has undergone in recent weeks.

"It been a tough couple of weeks of ops, heavy anaesthetics and pain relief but I have to say that my initial care by the Medical team at the track, the Air Ambulance team and then the Team of surgeons in the Royal Hospital in Belfast has been second to none.

"I was moved to the Ulster Hospital where I have been since last Monday week and I can't thank them enough for everything that they have done for me. They leave no stone unturned when it comes to top class health care".

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Northern Irish rider Gary McCoy remains in the critical care unit in hospital after an incident during the Supersport qualifying session on the first day of practice for the North West 200 on Wednesday.

McCoy was transported to hospital by ambulance while Englishman Craig Neve was taken from the circuit by air ambulance after both were involved in an incident at Mill Road roundabout six minutes into the Supersport qualifying session.

In an update provided by his wife Leana, she confirmed he is still in the critical care unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where "he is being cared for brilliantly by the team".

McCoy has suffered an extensive list of injuries including: 11 broken ribs, two fractures in his pelvis, a punctured right lung, a broken collar bone, a fractured right wrist, a broken left thumb and a small bleed in the brain.

Leana added: "I wanted to say on behalf of Gary and myself that we are so grateful for all of the kind messages, well wishes and support shown by everyone.

"Gary has a long way to go in terms of recovery but if there is one thing I have always said about my husband is that he is the most stubborn person I know and he's proving that each day."

Image source, BBC Sport

A rider has been airlifted to hospital with "non-life threatening injuries" after an accident in the final Superbike race at the North West 200.

The rider crashed at the Quarry Hill corner on the penultimate lap of the road race in Northern Ireland.

He was treated by medics at the scene before being transferred to hospital by air ambulance.

After a red flag stoppage, Davey Todd was declared the winner of the race ahead of Dean Harrison and Alastair Seeley.

Earlier on Saturday, English rider Jamie Coward was taken to hospital after an accident in the opening Supertwins race at Quarry Bend, and another rider was transferred to hospital after an incident at Church Corner which led to a red flag in the Supersport race.

On the opening day of practice on Wednesday, Northern Ireland's Gary McCoy was transported to hospital by ambulance while Englishman Craig Neve was taken from the circuit by air ambulance after an incident at Mill Road in Supersport qualifying.

Neve remains in ICU in Belfast, but both his and McCoy's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Image source, Pacemaker

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.