Saturday at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 was a day of trials and triumphs.
Strong winds and seven red flag stoppages across the six races were eventually overcome to produce a series of special performances that will live long in the memory.
MAXWELL FREIGHT SPORTBIKE/SUPERTWIN RACE
The opening event, the Maxwell Freight Sportbike/Supertwinrace, developed into an exciting battle from the drop of the flag between 62 year old Jeremy McWilliams who had been the fastest qualifier in the class on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha R7 and Peter Hickman on a similar Swan Racing by PHR Yamaha.
McWilliams led for most of the race apart from Hickman’s brief spell at the front on lap two between Mather’s and Magherabouy chicanes. Only tenths of seconds separated the pair before the Englishman dived underneath the Ulsterman at Juniper chicane on the final circuit, holding on to take the chequered flag by 0.46 sec.. Alastair Seeley completed the podium, a further 0.623 sec behind on the Binch Racing by 3B Construction Aprilia.
A North West Supertwin race winner 12 months ago, Paul Jordan finished fourth, setting the fastest lap of the race at 112.231mph to close the gap to the leaders after overshooting at University Corner on the opening circuit. Jamie Coward (Milenco by Padgett’s Paton) and Christian Elkin (Bell and Bikesport B&W Racing Aprilia) completed the top six.
McWilliams complained in the winners’ enclosure that no last lap flag had been shown and he thought there was another lapbut Hickman was delighted with his victory.
‘McWilliams bike has a little bit more poke than ours does, but overall I’m really, really happy to get Swan another P1 here at the North West.’ the 39 year old smiled.
‘After last year’s disappointment, it is absolutely fantastic. We’ve got some more improvements hopefully to come before the TT. So we think we’re going to get a bit stronger again, which will be even better.’
BRIGGS EQUIPMENT SUPERBIKE RACE
Eleven times Superbike race winner, Glenn Irwin, was returning to the north coast races in 2026 after sitting out last year’s North West. The Carrickfergus rider became locked in a fierce battle during the opening Superbike six lapper onSaturday aboard his Nitrous Competitions Ducati with Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison which had to be restarted after an incident at Church Corner.
The Yorkshireman, who had topped the qualifying times, was glued to Irwin’s tail throughout the six laps. Irwin set the fastest lap of the race on lap three at 124.997mph before Harrison briefly got his nose in front along the coast road on the fourth circuit.
Irwin retook the lead braking into Metropole on the following lap and held Harrison off until the chequered flag, claiming his 12th North West Superbike victory by 0.181 sec.
Michael Dunlop claimed the final podium place on the Hawk Racing Honda over 14 seconds behind the leading duo. Peter Hickman (8 Ten Racing BMW) was fourth with Josh Brookes (Dao Racing Honda) and Ian Hutchinson (Team RST BMW) completing the top six.
Seventh place finisher, Storm Stacey, set the fastest ever lap by a newcomer at 123.725mph on his Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW .
‘Yeah, they are all as special as each other.’ Irwin said afterhis win.
‘Dean was riding incredibly well. We do struggle to make the bike last for fuel so the plan was never to break Dean. I don’t think that’s possible either, to be honest. He was riding good. He passed me in areas where people have never
passed me. He’s the first rider to pass me into the Juniper chicane!’
Irwin complained of fitness problems.
‘My biggest thing is my arm. After a couple of laps, I’m in a lot of trouble and I can’t use my strength in braking. I tried to manage my body on the last lap.’
TIDES RESTAURANT SUPERSPORT RACE
Chasing an elusive 30th race win at the NW200, Alastair Seeley set the fastest Supersport lap in qualifying for the class on the Binch Pro Racing by 3B Construction Ducati. But it was Michael Dunlop who made the running in the opening Supersport encounter on a similar machine.
The Ballymoney racer was declared the winner on his Scars Ducati by MD Racing after the race was red flagged twice following two separate crashes at Mill Road roundabout involving Ian Hutchinson, Richard Cooper and Paul Jordan. All three riders were unhurt.
Honda’s Dean Harrison set a new lap record for the class at 118.748 mph on the fourth lap but it wasn’t enough to beat Dunlop who took the chequered flag by 0.292 seconds. Josh Brookes completed the podium on a Carl Cox Motorsport/Uggly & Co Suzuki with pole-setter Seeley finishing fourth. Crumlin’s Carl Phillips (Bell Bikesport B&W Racing Ducati) and Kiwi racer, Mitch Rees (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda) produced impressive rides to complete the top six.
‘I take my hat off to the SCARS Racing team.’ Dunlop said after the race.
‘The wee bike is lovely. It’s working really well and I was keen to get one under my belt today so that’s definitely a good start for the lads. I felt good and I just kept up the pace and the bike was doing everything I wanted it to do. I knew this week was going to be hard but to win around here, it’s obviously very lovely.’
CP HIRE SUPERSTOCK RACE
The CP Hire Superstock race produced a sensational victory for popular newcomer, Storm Stacey, on his Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW after being red flagged and restarted over four laps following an incident at University corner involving Richard Cooper.
The 23 year old English racer, who has already secured a huge following amongst North West 200 fans, became the first newcomer to win a race on his debut on the 8.9 mile Triangle course since Christian Elkin in 2007.
Stacey triumphed after setting a new lap record at 124.498mph to defeat Michael Dunlop on his MD Racing BMW after a race long battle. Josh Brookes claimed his second rostrum finish of the event in third on the DAO Racing Honda. Ian Hutchinson (Team RST BMW), John McGuinness (Honda Racing) and Mike Browne (MB Racing/ Russell Racing Honda) completed the top six.
‘The goal was to just come and have a good, successful North West 200 and go home happy.’ Stacey said after his landmark victory.
‘But you get a bit carried away when you’re racing. And I really enjoyed that race, partly with Michael because it’s a new thing for me. I’ve never raced with Michael but it was good having some duels. You’ll see on the helicopter we were looking at each other on the streets, and there was a bit of who dares wins on the brakes. I think I won all the battles on the brakes, so it was very fun.’
JOHN M PATERSON SPORTBIKE AND SUPERTWIN RACE
Jeremy McWilliams dispelled his earlier disappointment in the first Twins race by claiming victory on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha R7 in the second Sportbike/Supertwin encounter.
Race one winner Peter Hickman led to University on the opening lap where McWilliams moved in front, the Newtownabbey veteran eventually triumphing by 5.8 seconds at the chequered flag.
Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing/ Prosper 2 Aprilia) claimed runner-up spot, with another fastest lap in the class as he improved on his fourth place finish in the earlier race.
Alastair Seeley completed the podium aboard the BinchRacing by 3B Construction Aprilia.
‘That’s been coming a while.’ McWilliams said.
‘I’ve been waiting for that. It’s an awesome bike and we made it a bit better for the second race. I’m delighted with that. I got caught napping this morning, and Peter got away from me but I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been chasing this for a while,everyone was telling me the older I got the less likely it was. I just kept my head down until it came along. The reception was incredible.’
However, Alastair Seeley was disappointed as he failed in his bid to get a 30th NW200 victory.
‘We came here to get the 30th win but it didn’t happen.’ he said.
‘We’ll have to come back. We lacked speed and we tried something but it was probably the wrong direction. I brought it home and you have to be in it to win it. I was gifted a podium but we’ll take it. We’ll have to come back next year.”
Jamie Coward (Milenco by Padgett’s Paton) finished fourth and newcomer, Franco Bourne, impressed in fifth aboard the Team ILR Frog Paton as Christian Elkin (Bell and BikesportB&W Racing Aprilia) completed the top six.
MERROW HOTEL AND SPA SUPERBIKE RACE
After being flagged off by TV personality and Long Way Round biker, Charley Boorman, the feature six lap Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike race was brought to a premature end by an oil spill along the coast road from the exit of Juniper chicane.
Storm Stacey was declared the race winner after three laps when the organisers ran out of time to clear the oil before the 6.45pm road opening stipulation.
Stacey had taken the lead on his Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW from Glenn Irwin (Nitrous Competitions Ducati) at York corner on the opening lap. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing) then led at Magherabouy and the trio battled in close company over the three laps. Stacey led across the finish line on each lap and was declared the winner when the red flags came out as they crossed the start finish line to begin lap four.
‘It is unbelievable.’ Stacey smiled afterwards.
‘I couldn’t ask for any more. With two wins to my name already and a lap record it doesn’t really get much better. Glenn did all the talking for me before this event and I did exactly what he said I was going to do.’
‘It was a good fun race.’ Irwin said.
‘Storm was riding mega, Dean as well. We all took turns at sharing the lead.’
‘An eventful North West 200.’ Harrison said.
‘I think that’s what makes the North West what it is. I think it always throws up things a little bit unexpected and I feel like I’m always there or thereabouts. I’m riding well at the minute. I’ve enjoyed my week. The weather’s been a bit up and down throughout the week. Today’s been good, barring a little bit of wind. The event as a whole, I find it unbelievable to be honest, and I really do enjoy it. I’m still chasing a win and I will keep trying, never stop trying, never give in.’
