Motorbikes

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Glenn Irwin produced an impressive ride from 14th on the grid to finish second behind Bradley Ray in Sunday's British Superbike Championship opener at Oulton Park.

Ray earned a dominant 1.937-second victory as he smashed his own lap record during the race.

However, Northern Ireland man Irwin also had an encouraging beginning to the campaign on his Hager PBM Ducati as he moved into third place by lap 13 after getting past last season's champion Kyle Ryde.

The Carrickfergus rider moved into second place ahead of Leon Haslam with three laps remaining and held on to that in the closing stages despite the Englishman's attempts to regain the runners-up spot.

Ryde had to be content with fifth place after being passed by series debutant Storm Stacey in the closing stages while Tommy Bridewell completed the top six.

Irwin's brother Andrew had to opt out of Sunday's opener after crashing in practice earlier in the afternoon.

The Honda rider slid off into gravel and while he was reported by organisers to be "OK" after receiving medical treatment, sat out race one.

The bank holiday weekend Oulton Park action will continue on Monday with the race two sprint event at 13:15 BST before race three at 16:15.

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Jonathan Rea's struggles on his return to action after injury continued as the Northern Ireland rider finished 16th and 18th in Sunday's races at the World Superbikes round in Cremona.

The six-time world champion was 19th in his first race of the season on Saturday after missing the opening three rounds of the campaign because of foot fractures sustained when crashing during testing at Phillip Island in February.

Rea subsequently had surgery in Belfast and had continued his recuperation at home before returning to action in Italy.

The Northern Ireland man finished 19.2 seconds behind Nicolo Bulega in Sunday morning's superpole race as the Italian Ducati rider repeated his race one victory over Toprak Razgatlioglu, with Alvaro Bautista again completing the podium spots.

The top three were unchanged in race two as Bulega secured a dominant 1.826-second victory after moving ahead of Turkey's defending world champion Razgatlioglu on lap four.

Rea was in a points position early on in race two as he was in 14th spot but was down to 16th by lap four and lost further ground over the remaining 19 laps as he finished 44 seconds off the pace in 18th.

Bulega's weekend clean sweep in Italy was his seventh victory in the 12 races so far this season.

The Ducati rider extended his world championship lead over Razgatlioglu to 34 points, with third-placed Bautista already 73 points off the pace.

Danilo Petrucci finished fourth in race two, with Great Britain's Sam Lowes securing a battling fifth spot in race two as he held off Iker Lecuona despite suffering badly with flu.

Rea's Pata Yamaha team-mate Andrea Locatelli was eighth in race two.

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Jonathan Rea finished in 19th place on his return to World Superbike action in the fourth round of the 2025 championship at Cremona in Italy.

The Northern Ireland rider had missed the first three rounds of this year's series after suffering a serious injury to his left foot in a crash in testing at Phillip Island in Australia in February.

Rea qualified 17th in Superpole for the first of the weekend's three races on his Pata Yamaha on Saturday but suffered setbacks during the race as he twice ended up riding through gravel sections before getting back on track.

The six-time champion, 38, had been given the go-ahead to compete by medical staff at the meeting.

The race was won by Italian Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega, who took his fifth victory of the season to extend his lead at the top of the standings to 26 points.

Two-time and defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, of Turkey, was 2.8 seconds adrift of Bulega at the end of the race and the BMW rider retains his second place in the championship.

Spain's Alvaro Bautista was third on his Ducati.

The Superpole race and second feature race will take place on Sunday.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Jonathan Rea is to travel to the fourth round of the World Superbike Championship at Cremona in Italy "with the intention of riding", his Pata Yamaha team has revealed.

The Northern Ireland rider missed the first three rounds of the 2025 series at Phillip Island in Australia, Portimao in Portugal and Assen in the Netherlands after sustaining multiple fractures to his left foot in a crash while testing in February.

Rea subsequently had successful surgery in Belfast and has been continuing his recovery at home.

An update issued by his team indicated that the six-time world champion was to return "after consultation with his medical team in Northern Ireland, travelling to Cremona with the intention of riding pending official review with the FIM Medical Director on Thursday".

The statement added that Rea "had left no stone unturned in his efforts to recover as quickly as possible from the injuries sustained to his left foot at the Phillip Island Official Test in February".

The 38-year-old said he was "super excited" to be on the brink of a return to action.

"It feels like a really long couple of months, but in the last 3-4 weeks I've maximised regaining strength and function of my left foot," he explained.

The injury was a lot more serious than first expected and I just want to thank everybody that was behind me to get back on track, especially the fans and all the messages of encouragement.

He added: "I feel confident and ready – Cremona is a track that I haven't raced at before but I was able to spin a few laps in testing last season. I'm just so happy to be back with my team and riding my Yamaha R1."

Rea is in his second season with his Yamaha team after a disappointing campaign in 2024 which saw him finish 13th overall in the standings and secure a solitary podium finish at the UK round of the championship at Donington.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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A number of riders are recovering after suffering fractures in incidents at Saturday's Cookstown 100 road races at the Orritor circuit.

Scottish competitor Donald MacFadyen came off during the Open B race and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital by air ambulance.

Writing on Facebook, MacFadyen said: "Thanks for all the help, kind messages. Getting looked after great here.

"Latest is I have 2 stable spine fractures, broken wrist and 8 broken ribs."

Noel Carroll from county Laois sustained broken ribs in the same race, a spokesperson for the Cookstown 100 club organisers confirmed.

The air ambulance was also deployed to carry Republic of Ireland rider Damian Horan to hospital following a crash in the Open A race later in the day.

Race organisers confirmed that the Athlone man had suffered fractures.

Both races were halted by red flags after the incidents happened.

Simon Lehane, who crashed in the Moto3 event, was taken to hospital for a check-up, but has been discharged and has travelled home to England.

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Michael Dunlop secured a win double and broke the absolute course record at the Cookstown 100 road races on Saturday.

Dunlop, riding a V2 Ducati, led from start to finish in the Supersport race, run in dry conditions over nine laps of the 2.1-mile Orritior course.

McGee, on an ex-Ten Kate World Supersport machine, pushed Dunlop for much of the race but trailed by four seconds at the chequered flag in finishing second.

Michael Sweeney, Darryl Tweed and Kevin Keyes made up the top five.

Later in the day BMW-mounted Dunlop ran out the victor in the feature Cookstown 100 event, holding a 5.6 seconds advantage over early leader Sweeney, with McGee a further 16.5 seconds in arrears in third.

The Ballymoney rider set the new lap record on his sixth circuit of seven with a speed of 91.773mph, one minute 22.377 seconds.

Mullingar rider McGee was a convincing winner of the Moto3 class, coming home 18.75 seconds ahead of Manxman Dan Sayle, with Nigel Moore third.

The Republic of Ireland racer then brought his KMR Kawasaki home 1.4 seconds ahead of Skerries man Sweeney in the Supertwins race, with Tweed occupying the final podium spot, Manx newcomer Joe Yeardsley fourth and Neil Kernohan fifth.

McGee, a former Irish Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin champion, is now based in the Netherlands and is making his first appearance at the Cookstown races since 2019.

Darryl Tweed won both the Lightweight Supersport and Classic Superbike races.

Saturday's race programme was punctuated by red flag incidents, including lengthy delays following crashes in the Open B and Open A races.

Friday's action was restricted to free practice sessions because of the wet and windy weather at the county Tyrone course.

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Sixteen-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson and Republic of Ireland Mike Browne have been confirmed as the riders for MLav Racing's debut appearance at the Isle of Man TT.

The team is owned by former British Supersport champion and 10-time British Superbike race winner Michael Laverty and has competed in the Moto3 World Championship and Junior categories, including the FIM Junior GP Championship and British Talent Cup.

Hutchinson will have both Superbike and Superstock BMW M1000RR machinery available for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races, with Browne opting to concentrate on a Superstock-spec bike for all four 1000cc events.

Hutchinson will also contest the two Supersport races on machinery that has yet to be finalised.

The 45-year-old missed the 2023 TT after suffering a stroke but returned last year with the Milenco by Padgett's team, securing 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th place finishes.

Browne clinched his second TT podium in 2024 thanks to a third position in the second Supertwin race.

The Killeagh rider finished inside the top 10 in all seven of his races.

"Anyone who knows me knows I've always loved the TT and even though I never raced the Mountain Course, it's the pinnacle of our sport," said team boss Laverty.

"Plans for setting up a new team started with a casual conversation back in September and although initially, I was approached to assist a team, the more I thought about it the more it made sense to do it ourselves.

"My Grand Prix commitments keep me busy, and it's taken me a bit longer to get everything boxed off in terms of sponsors, team personnel and infrastructure, but I spoke to a couple of riders, getting Hutchy signed up first and then Mike."

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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.