Seeley and Irwin do the double as the North West 200 reaches a climax
Last updated 19th May 2018
By Aaron O’Neill
Saturday’s racing provided some of the most memorable battles around the North West 200 circuit in recent years.
The opening Supersport race was won by Carrickfergus man Alastair Seeley sealed his double victory in the class onboard his EHA Racing Yamaha R6. Seeley cruised to victory in the end after an early attack from Lee Johnston.
James Hillier came finished second after starting from row six on the grid whilst Johnston rounded out the podium positions.
Glenn Irwin won the opening Superbike race to seal his second big bike win at the North West 200. Irwin ran wide at York Corner on the opening lap before hitting a false neural at the Bet McLean Juniper Hill chicane but the 28 year-old recovered to secure the win as Dean Harrisson and Michael Rutter completed the top three.
Alastair Seeley had originally sealed second position however the Tyco BMW rider was penalised after a jump start. The Superbike race proved a disaster for Tyco BMW as both Michael Dunlop and Manxman Dan Kneen were forced to retire from the race early due to mechanical issues.
McAdoo Racing Kawasaki took victory in the Supertwins class as James Cowton worked a terrific move into the Juniper Hill chicane on the last lap to ensure victory.
ILR Racing’s Joey Thompson had previously led the race but Jeremy McWilliams forced the Yorkshire man wide on the last lap to allow Cowton to pip the both of them to the line.
It was a tight contest between the front three in the Supertwin race with less than a second separating the podium finishers.
The Superstock race served up arguably the best race of the day. With a number of different leaders it was Alastair Seeley who proved that he is the man to beat around the 8.9 mile triangle circuit. The win means Seeley stretches his win record to 24 wins on the North Coast.
Peter Hickman secured second for Smith’s Racing BMW to follow up Thursday evening’s win in the Superstock class. Dean Harrison sealed third place for the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki team which will give fill the Yorkshire rider full of confidence heading to the Isle of Man TT.
It was a case of Irwin at the double as the Ducati mounted rider secured his second Superbike win of the day. The Carrickfergus man crossed the line ahead of Michael Dunlop and Lee Johnston aboard his PBM backed Ducati.
The result rounds off a spectacular day of racing on the North Coast and an extremely successful North West 200. With a number of winners tasting success, fans and organisers enjoyed some of the most memorable battles on the sun-kissed North Coast.