07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Two motorcyclists taken to hospital after incident in North West 200 qualifying
England's Craig Neve was airlifted by the air ambulance while Northern Ireland's Gary McCoy was taken to hospital by ambulance.
While Neve sustained significant injuries in the incident, neither rider is believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
A statement from the NW200 organisers said: 'Two riders were involved in an incident at Mill Road roundabout on the NW200 course six minutes into the Supersport qualifying session at today's Briggs Equipment North West 200.
'Both riders were injured in the incident and the on course medical team attended the scene.
'The riders were subsequently transferred to hospital, one by road ambulance and the other by air ambulance.'
After a long delay, the Supersport session was restarted with around 18 minutes of the road closing order remaining before roads had to be opened around the 8.9-mile course by 1500 BST.
Richard Cooper, a winner in the class last year, was fastest on the BPE/Russell Racing Yamaha at 116.795mph with Honda's Dean Harrison just 0.047s in arrears after lapping at 116.775mph.
Ballymoney's Michael Dunlop, riding his new Milwaukee Ducati machine, was third fastest, 2.6s down on Cooper.
In the Superbikes, Peter Hickman was fastest at 121.732mph on the 8TEN Racing BMW from Harrison (121.385mph) and Alastair Seeley (SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW), who is making his return to the event after missing last year's meeting.
Despite sunshine and blue skies, the Superstock and Supertwins qualifying sessions did not take place after the organisers ran out of time.
News Catch Up - Wednesday 7 May
Two red flags in the Superbike session because of oil on the course caused significant delays on a challenging first day of the event.
The newcomers' practice session went ahead first in the morning shortly after roads closed at 1000 BST.
