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BBC News
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Todd 'will be pushed all the way' in NW200 Superbike bid
Davey Todd says he is aiming to win his first Superbike race at the North West 200 bu expects strong 28, has six victories at the international road race but has yet to taste victory in the blue riband Irwin, who won 11 Superbike races in a row, announced his retirement from road racing, which has opened the door for a new winner in the big-bike class."It's a shame Glenn isn't here. I'd love to do battle with him again, we had some fantastic ones over the last few years," Todd told BBC Sport NI."I've managed to get a lot of wins in the other races, but I want those Superbike wins. "Just because Glenn isn't here any more doesn't mean there won't be any competition. There will still be a lot of fast guys who will push me all the way. "We have to do our job, we have to get out there and ride as well as we can. I'm up for that challenge."Along with Peter Hickman, Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop, one strong contender for victory is the returning Alastair Seeley, who is the record wins holder around the Triangle Circuit with said it was "exciting" to have Seeley back on the grid after a year away, and expects him to get back up to speed quickly."We all know how quick he is around this place. "With Glenn leaving and Alastair coming back, that kind of makes up for a little bit. "It'll be exciting to have him back out there. I know he'll give us a run for our money and I'm excited to go out there and do battle with those guys." Starting team from scratch After winning his first two Isle of Man TT races with the TAS Racing team in 2024, Todd was set to join Peter Hickman at FHO Racing for the upcoming season. However, it emerged at the turn of the year that team owner Faye Ho was scaling back her involvement in the sport, and Todd and Hickman set up their own 8TEN Racing pair of Isle of Man TT winners will race on BMW machinery, but Todd says the team was "started from scratch"."Everyone in the team has been doing a fantastic job. There's been so much work in putting this together in such a short space of time. "It's been six to eight weeks going from absolute scratch. I think a lot of people feel we took off from where FHO landed, but that wasn't the case."Todd said the whole team have been "working so hard to pull it all together" and, after making their debut in the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park, they will make their first road racing appearance at the North West 200."I can't wait to get out there to show everyone all the fantastic work that the 8TEN team have been doing, they've done an awesome job. "We want to get the BMW machinery on the course and a one-two finish on the podium would be the ideal situation."
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Running number 92 plate in tribute to late brother 'special'
Mitch Rees says bearing the number 92 plate previously used by his late brother Damon on his debut appearance at the North West 200 international road race will be "really special" for three-time New Zealand Superbike champion has plenty of experience riding on street circuits in his native country but next week he will compete at the Triangle public roads circuit in Northern Ireland for the first first foray into racing in the northern hemisphere will also see him make his bow at the Isle of Man TT, and race in two rounds of the British Superstock series at Oulton Park and younger sibling also raced in New Zealand and in the Superstock and Supersport championships on UK short circuits and but tragically died from a sudden unexpected medical condition in July 2023 at the age of 28."I didn't really have a road race number so to be able to take on his number is really special for me," reflected Mitch in an interview with BBC Sport NI."To be able to use it at the North West and in the British Championship and then my number for the TT is 29, 92 backwards, so that's pretty cool as well."I actually wouldn't be road racing if it wasn't for him. I started my road racing career as a mechanic for him and just enjoyed the vibe of everyone racing. By the end of the season I ended up racing a round of the New Zealand Championship and just progressed from there and here I am now at the North West 200."The 32-year-old says the sudden nature of Damon's death made it more difficult to come to terms with."The hardest part about it is you kind of expect it with racing as you know there's a risk with racing but when someone goes to hospital and they're sick you automatically assume they're going to come out of there, especially when they are young and fit and healthy."You assume they're going to come out on the other side." How do you get there and how do you make it affordable? Mitch is an ex-motocrosser who followed his father's example by moving on to road racing, becoming a four-time Suzuki Series champion in addition to his Superbike 32-year-old says events such as the North West 200 and the TT have been "100% on his radar" but the logistics have proved challenging."The biggest issue is it's the other side of the world, it's so far to come. "I'm very fortunate with the opportunity I've got this year. It's something I've always looked at wanting to do but it's how do you get there and how do you make it affordable?"I went over and watched the Isle of Man last year and it sort of just evolved from there really. I fancied coming back to do the TT and then I'd like to do the North West, all these things kept stacking up. It's been in the process for the last 12 months."Mitch's first impressions of the 8.9-mile circuit which takes in the north coast towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush were favourable."The track looks absolutely mega. It's a lot different to any other racing that there is. I can see things that excite me and I'm looking forward to having a ride."I've been staying with Davey and doing the homework. He's been taking a lot of his time out to give me a hand and it's been fantastic."I'd love to keep coming back. I love to race bikes. As long as the opportunity's available I'd love to keep on doing it." Special to follow in compatriots' footsteps Rees has previously raced against and beaten Todd and 14-time TT winner Peter Hickman in New Zealand on both short circuits and on roads over the Cemetery circuit at Wanganui."That was the big thing for me that cemented me coming over. It was getting the opportunity to race against those guys," explained the motorcycle dealer from Whakatane."I know the calibre of the boys. The likes of Davey and Pete are top British Championship competitors as well as two of the best road racers."It's very hard to go to someone else's backyard and be competitive, especially in the first year or even second year."Rees is following in the wheeltracks of a number of decorated Kiwi riders who have competed at and won at the North West Anstey took 10 wins between 2002 and 2014, Robert Holden secured a Superbike and Supermono double in 1995 and Stu Avant won the 500cc race in 1982."My father raced against Robert and Bruce as well so that's quite cool to have that relationship. Robert helped my dad get his ride in the World Endurance Championship. It's kind of special to follow in those guys' footsteps."We haven't seen Bruce racing in New Zealand for a long time but any motorcyclist from New Zealand knows Bruce Anstey."Rees has linked up with the hugely experienced and successful Milenco by Padgett's team for the North West and TT."You couldn't ask for a better team as a newcomer. Clive [Padgett, team boss] is fantastic, there's no pressure and he's willing to give you whatever he can and try to improve the bike."Since I went to the Isle of Man last year it's been pretty much building, building. It's a lot to learn but it's a big thing for me, it's a massive learning year."The first focus is learning here [the North West], just take my time and have some fun. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't intending to have some fun."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Vance 'fit and ready' for Northern Ireland recall
Glentoran defender Demi Vance says she is "fit and ready" to play for Northern Ireland if she is recalled by manager Tanya has won 95 caps but not featured for Northern Ireland since being left out of Oxtoby's squad for October's Euro 2025 play-off with 33-year-old was one of the most experienced players in Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad - the country's first major women's tournament."My performances haven't been disappointing," Vance told BBC Sport NI."On a personal level, I've been playing well and I was consistent at the end of last season even though we had a disappointing campaign [with Glentoran]. "It's at the manager's discretion but I'll always be fit, ready and available to play."Vance said she had "sacrificed so much" to play for Northern Ireland and "it's the pinnacle" of her she was a surprise omission for the Euro play-off with Croatia as Oxtoby left her out along with former captain Marissa Callaghan. Speaking after her decision, Australian Oxtoby said the "the door will remain open" for the pair but NI had "a great squad composition" as she integrated youth into her Callaghan has since announced her retirement from international football, Vance has signalled her intent to fight her way into Oxtoby's plans."Playing for Northern Ireland is the most important thing you can do," Vance added."I'm fit and ready to play. My confidence is good at the minute so we'll see how we go."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Moore sleeping in gym in Carlos Jnr bout build up
When the cost of PFL light-heavyweight fighter Karl Moore's journeys between his home in west Belfast and the gym he trains at in Dublin started to add up, he came up with a creative solution to solve the into SBG Gym from Monday to Friday whilst he trains in preparation for his upcoming fight against Antonio Carlos Jr in the PFL tournament on 1 May in may be an unglamorous and unorthodox way to prepare for a huge fight, but for Moore, it is a sacrifice he is willing to make."It started initially when I was driving up and down and it was costing me a fortune in diesel and food too," he told BBC Sport NI."There is a set of bunk beds for international fighters, when they train, they would stay here. I was far too big for the beds, I was sleeping curled up, but John Kavanagh [SBG coach] let me buy my own bed."I sleep in the gym Monday to Friday and go home at the weekends. It has its up and downs, you are sharing a room with other fellas and sometimes it's not the cleanest room, but it's a means to an end." 'I know I can fly at him for three rounds' The means to an end Moore refers to is getting himself in the best shape possible for his first fight since March 2024, when he fell short in his bid to become Ireland's first Bellator champion after he was beaten by Corey 33-year-old said that the fight, which took place in Belfast, was "bittersweet" but that he learnt a lot from it."I don't make any excuses about that last fight, I wasn't prepared at all, I had some setbacks in the camp and went into the fight compromised," he admitted."The fact I went five rounds with a guy like Corey Anderson and didn't have any trouble that gives me serious confidence going forward that with a full camp and being fully fit and sharp, I'll be a nightmare for my opponent."Moore is competing in the PFL's new single elimination format that includes a first round, semi-finals and finals, a format which he likens to the World Cup in is up against Brazilian and former PFL light-heavyweight champion Carlos Jr, who spent seven years in the his opponent's experience of fighting at a higher level, Moore believes he is more than capable of knocking out Carlos Jr."He's very experienced, he won this tournament a few years ago and he's a very good fighter," Moore added."What I expect is once I hit him a few times he will try to take me down and submit me, but that won't happen."This fight is a three rounder, and I know I can fly at him for three rounds. I'm going in to finish him or get finished trying, there is no messing about."
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carrick 'need to be up to the challenge' of play-off
Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter said his side's Irish Premiership promotion/relegation play-off against Annagh United will be a "very tough task".The first leg of the play-off will take place on Tuesday at Tandragee Park with the second leg at Taylors Avenue on finished second in the Championship after winning their last eight games in a row and Baxter knows they come into the game as the form side."Saturday was their eighth win on the trot and that is some going in the Championship," he told BBC Sport NI."We've been able to watch all three of the teams challenging at the top of the division over the last couple of months so we're certainly very aware of how they play.""They're very well coached and they play to their strengths. They have capable players who have played in the Irish Premiership, it is going to be a very tough task for us, but we need to be up to that challenge."Baxter rested a number of key players as Carrick suffered a 4-0 defeat against Glenavon in their final league game on Saturday in order to have them in prime condition for the play-off."We need to have all the players fully fit and ready to play which I think they are, and we need to get our heads down over two legs and try win this game," he added."If your best is good enough you will win and get through."
