North West 200: Northern Ireland's biggest annual sporting spectacle gets under way
Thousands of spectators are flocking to the north coast for the week-long event
Northern Ireland's most popular sporting spectacle - the North West 200 - got under way in earnest today (Wednesday) on the north coast.
Thousands of spectators have flocked already to Portrush and Portstewart to see an event which attracts the best motorcycle racers from all over the world.
With sunny weather forecast for the rest of the week, the conditions are perfect for a road race like no other.
The opening practice sessions take place throughout the day before the first of the racing begins tomorrow evening. with the superbikes in action.
With Glenn Irwin, the winner of the last eleven Superbike races in a row at the Briggs Equipment North West 200, sitting out this year’s meeting, organisers believe the three premier class races are more wide open than ever.
Local favourite Michael Dunlop said he wants to be a winner again around the 8.9 mile Triangle course after notching up a maiden victory on his new M1000RR BMW at the recent Cookstown 100.
Alastair Seeley, the north coast event’s most successful rider, will be one of his biggest challengers as he returns to the NW200 fray following a 2024 sabbatical when he was unable to secure suitable machinery.
The 45 year old will be mounted on a SMS/ Nicholl Oils Racing M1000RR BMW in the Superbike and Superstock classes this year plus a CD Racing by MSS Performance ZXR 636 Kawasaki in the Supersport races. The all-time record holder at Ireland’s biggest road race will be chasing a landmark 30th victory at the seaside event where he won his first race in 2008.
"Sometimes a year’s wait can be worth it because it makes you even hungrier to put on a good show,"’ the Carrickfergus rider says.
"I will be leaving nothing on the table now that we have bikes that are good enough to do the job."
Each race is packed with talent and a host of riders who could make their mark on the 2025 NW200.
Richard Cooper has become something of a Triangle course specialist since making his North West debut in 2019.
The 42 year old added a maiden win in the Fraser Homes Supersport race on Alastair Russell’s R6 at last year’s NW200 to his four previous Supertwin victories at the north coast event with Ryan Farquhar’s KMR team and he is staying put with the same teams for 2025.
Jamie Coward will return to the north coast with his KTS Racing squad after a three year break. Previously a podium finisher at Portrush, Coward will have his sights set on a similar result at least in the Supersport and Supertwin classes in particular.
Manxman Conor Cummins will be hoping to impress as he makes his NW200 debut with the RK Racing/Burrows squad team on BMW and Ducati machinery and Finland’s Erno Kostamo is always one to watch in the big bike events.
Two riders who have earned their NW200 stripes are veterans John McGuinness and Michael Rutter.
Rutter will be aiming for his 100th race start this year having competed in 97 races since making his debut in 1992. Only Alastair Seeley and 15 times winner, Robert Dunlop, have been more successful at the North West 200 than the Englishman who will ride a BMW in the Superbike races and a R7 Yamaha in the Twins class this week.