07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Lack of North West 200 win is a thorn in my side and I'm back to put it right, says Josh Brookes
A former outright lap record holder at Northern Ireland's premier motorcycle race, Brookes has an impressive pedigree as a former double British Superbike champion.
The 42-year-old is competing for DAO Racing Honda in BSB this year after previously riding BMW M1000RR machinery for FHO Racing.
Brookes, though, will ride for the Jackson Racing Honda team at the North West and Isle of Man TT, teaming up with Northern Ireland's Paul Jordan.
His key target is challenging for victory in the blue riband Superbike races and Brookes will have three chances, starting with Thursday evening's opening race before a double-header on the main race programme on Saturday.
Practice is scheduled to get under way on Wednesday around the 8.9-mile course with roads closed from 9.00am until 3.00pm, and Brookes is eager to make a strong start.
'I like the course, it's pretty easy to figure out and where the important bits are, but what I like the most is the mass start,' he said.
'That, for me, is what makes the NW200 both exciting and rewarding.
'I've been on the podium a few times and I've set lap records, but I want to win one and get that particular box ticked. It's a thorn in my side that I haven't won one.
'I like racing bikes and I like racing at the NW200, but I want to win as well so that's my focus for coming back in 2025.'
With Glenn Irwin absent from the line-up after winning the last 11 Superbike races in a row, the door is open for a new winner in the class.
Irwin announced his decision to retire from road racing last year and is competing solely in the British Superbike Championship in 2025 on the Hager PBM Ducati.
Along with Brookes, a stellar line-up includes Davey Todd, who has finished as the runner-up five times.
Todd is riding for new team 8TEN Racing BMW, which he co-owns with fellow top roads exponent Peter Hickman.
Neither rider has managed to get their hands on the Superbike trophy, although Todd clinched a treble in 2024 with two Superstock wins and a Supersport success, while Hickman sealed a double in the Supertwin races on his Swan Yamaha, twice beating Richard Cooper (KMR/Jack Reid Cars Kawasaki).
But it's Superbike glory they most desire.
'That's the one I want,' said Saltburn-by-the-Sea rider Todd. 'I've won Superbike races everywhere else on the roads.
'I'm gutted that Glenn's not going to be there and we're not going to have the chance to have those battles again, but it's never going to be easy.
'Michael Dunlop, Dean (Harrison), Hicky (Peter Hickman) — there could be 10 guys capable of winning.
'The North West is a special place and I love mass-start racing, so I can't wait to be back out there again in front of all the fantastic fans.'
Alastair Seeley, the most successful NW200 rider ever with 29 victories, returns after missing last year's event when he was unable to obtain suitable machinery.
The former British Supersport and Superstock champion will ride an SMS/Nicholl Oils BMW and an MSS Kawasaki Supersport machine for Chris Dowd's CD Racing outfit.
Seeley is on the brink of a 30th victory and few would bet against the Carrick man delivering once again.
'Sometimes a year's wait can be worth it because it makes you even hungrier to put on a good show,' Seeley said.
'I will be leaving nothing on the table now that we have bikes that are good enough to do the job.'
Fellow Ulsterman Michael Dunlop hasn't won a race at the North West since 2016 and is fired up to set the record straight.
A five-time winner at the event, he is set to debut his new BMW Superbike on Wednesday and is also entered in the Supersport races on a Ducati Panigale V2.
