Latest news with #NorthWest200
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Paul Jordan eager to join list of NI winners at Armoy's ‘Race of Legends'
Since the Irish national road race was first run in 2009, only Ryan Farquhar, Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd can lay claim to having won the blue riband race. Held each year in memory of the legendary Armoy Armada road racing quartet of Joey Dunlop, Frank Kennedy, Mervyn Robinson and Jim Dunlop — who competed together at Irish road races from the mid to late 1970s — the race has been dominated by Michael Dunlop, whose victory in 2023 was his 10th Legends success. The Isle of Man TT record-breaker is absent this year, as is English rival Todd, who was a winner of the big race in 2022 and 2024. A new name will be added to the trophy today, with Magherafelt racer Paul Jordan putting down a marker yesterday after he claimed pole position in qualifying on the Jackson Racing by Prosper2 Honda. Jordan lapped at 106.324mph, but Republic of Ireland rider Mike Browne was only a few tenths of a second slower on his Honda at 106.087mph. Manxman Conor Cummins is another chief contender on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW along with fourth-fastest Michael Sweeney (MJR BMW) and Yorkshire's Jamie Coward on the KTS Racing BMW, who made his return from injury at the Southern 100 this month following a crash at the North West 200 in May. Phil Crowe, the runner-up last year behind Todd, also can't be ruled out on his BMW. Jordan, though, will be fired up to emulate fellow Ulster winners Dunlop and Farquhar by winning the Superbike showdown. The 34-year-old is having a fine season, winning his first race at the North West 200 in the Supertwin category and securing another rostrum at the TT, again in the Supertwin class. Jordan, who also finished fourth in the second Supersport race at the TT in June, set a new lap record as he won the Supertwin race at Armoy yesterday and finished a close third in the Supersport race. However, he has been eager to prove himself on the 1000cc machines and a win today would be a feather in his cap. 'I was able to do the lap times (in Superbike qualifying) on my own, so that will only help me,' Jordan said. 'It's been good, a win and a third, so it's good for the team and good for me. 'A backmarker just played a bit of a part on the last lap there (in the Supersport race), which sort of ended it (challenge for second place), but I'm happy. We'll get another go at it tomorrow.' Browne will be aiming to double up in the Supersport class on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha after his win last night, while Jordan will fancy his chances of a repeat in today's Supertwin race. Dan Sayle sealed pole in the Moto3/125GP class with Ballymena's Barry Davidson quickest in qualifying for the Lightweight Supersport/GP250 race on the Bry Joinery 250 Honda. Former MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams is competing on a 400 Kawasaki in the Lightweight race and was third fastest in qualifying on his return to the event after a long absence. Andy Farrell starts from pole in the Classic Superbike race with Sam West also on the front row in second place.
Belfast Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop sets new lap record on way to Superbike double at Tandragee 100: ‘I'm riding faster than ever'
Riding his MD Racing BMW, Dunlop – back at the Co Armagh road race for the first time since 2013 – followed up his win in the Open race with a majestic display to win the six-lap finale for his 13th win at the meeting. The Isle of Man TT history-maker had to dig deep to fend off the threat from Republic of Ireland contender Michael Sweeney on the Martin Jones Racing BMW, who kept in touch with Dunlop over the first three laps. Dunlop shattered Sweeney's lap record of 109.796mph – set in the earlier Open race – on the second lap with a new mark of 110.497mph. Sweeney hit straight back, upping the ante to 110.997mph on the third lap as they broke away from Conor Cummins and Shaun Anderson. Dunlop finally gained some daylight by the end of lap four and was 1.3s ahead. He then turned the screw, recording the first 111mph lap at Tandragee to raise the absolute record to 111.584mph (2:52.403s) around the 5.3-mile course. It was enough to seal the deal and Dunlop went on to close out victory by eight seconds over Sweeney. Banbridge man Anderson finished on the podium in third on the Team Classic Suzuki while Cummins' chance was thwarted when he overshot at the last corner. The Manxman still finished fourth on the Burrows/RK Racing BMW. It has been a glorious year for Dunlop, who won three races at the North West 200 and increased his record of Isle of Man TT wins to 33 following another four-timer. The 36-year-old's achievements in the sport have been recognised with an MBE in the King's birthday honours. Dunlop, who will next be in action at the Southern 100 when he returns to the Isle of Man next month, said: 'The main job for me is the North West and TT, and I think we've done a successful job there and proven we're still one of the top men. 'For the first time in a while I was really competitive at the North West, which was good. 'To do a triple there and go to the TT and win another four it's been a great year. 'I'm riding faster than ever and there's no reason why we can't keep winning and adding to the tally.' Dunlop had to work hard to hold off Sweeney in the Open Superbike race earlier in the day. He was headed off the line by Sweeney and Mike Browne (BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha 600) and was lying in third at the end of the first lap. Dunlop worked his way into second place behind Sweeney on the next lap and then nudged ahead. Sweeney blitzed the seven-year-old absolute lap record set by Dan Kneen in 2018, raising the bar to 109.796mph on the fourth lap – slightly faster than Dunlop (109.755mph). The scene was set for a grandstand finish but it was Dunlop who held on by 0.4s. Cummins passed Browne on the last lap to earn a podium. Browne made it a double in the Supersport class, leading all the way from pole. The Republic of Ireland rider won Friday's non-championship race and followed up yesterday with another win. Sweeney was ruled out with an issue on the warm-up lap on the EM Building Yamaha. Dunlop, riding the Milwaukee Ducati, finished second on corrected time and set a new lap record at 109.276mph. He had to start from 17th position after failing to qualify on the Ducati on Friday, when he pulled in after a lap with an issue. Cummins claimed third on the Burrows/RK Racing Ducati after fending off Darryl Tweed (Novo Gen by FAO Racing Honda). Anderson had a successful day at his home race meeting, dominating the Classic Superbike race on the Wiz Norton to win by 20 seconds from Tweed (Stanley Stewart Yamaha 750). The Banbridge man later won the Lightweight race on a 250 Honda for a double. In the Supertwin race, Ballymoney's Tweed was toasting a thrilling win when he capitalised on a mistake by race leader Sweeney on the last lap. Sweeney went wide on his Aprilia at the final corner, leaving the door wide open for Tweed, who grabbed the win by 1.5s on his Aprilia. The Junior Support race, won by Sean Brolly on his Aprilia 660, was stopped on the final lap following a red flag incident. No official details were provided. The final national road race of the season takes place next month with the Armoy meeting in Co Antrim from July 25-26.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Dunlop 'as competitive as ever' after successful year
Michael Dunlop says he is as "competitive as ever" after a successful year at the Isle of Man TT and North West ended his eight-year victory drought at the North West 200 when he won the opening Supersport race He then added to that by winning in the Superstock and Superbike classes at the Northern Ireland road race. The 36-year-old then won four races at the Isle of Man TT to extend his own winning record at the event to 33 victories."For the first time in a while I was really competitive at the North West, which was good," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI. "To do a triple there and go to the TT and win another four it's been a great year."The main job for me is the North West and TT, and I think we've done a successful job there and proven we're still one of the top men."Dunlop is racing at the Tandragee 100 national road race in county Armagh this weekend and heads to the national race in confident mood."When you are leaving those events [NW200 and TT] with most wins, I'm into the 30s now with the TT, it's good. "To go into the 30s where nobody is is nice. I would like to keep pushing at it, I feel like I'm as competitive as ever. "You just don't know with this game. At the end of the day, to get where I'm at is pretty cool and if I can add to it, I will. "We had a really good year and I'm faster than I ever was, so there's no reason we can't go back and win more TTs and more North Wests." Last year, Dunlop said national road racing was "finished" and the larger North West 200 and Isle of Man TT events would "thrive regardless". Ahead of his appearance at the Trandragee 100, which came through an invitation from one of his sponsors, Dunlop added that national road racing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland "are in a bad place" and said it was "nice" to help the race organisers out with his appearance. The top road racers dovetail their Isle of Man and North West 200 commitments by participating in the British Superbike Championship, and do not usually ride at national road races."The North West 200 has thrived this year, the TT has thrived. The events that are doing things right are thriving. "Yes, it's harder for these smaller events. I know why some of them are doing some stuff wrong, but it's hard to say it's fallen when you go to the North West this year."The amount of people was mental. It's the exact same with the TT."It's hard to say people aren't supporting it when you see the likes of those events and they are absolutely booming." Dunlop says he will race at the Southern 100, Classic TT and look at racing at a round or two of the British Superbike asked if he would even race in British Superbikes full-time, he said he would like to but feels he's "too long in the tooth now".It's hard. Did we miss that boat? Without a doubt. But did I ever go looking for it? Probably not, and I probably would have liked to have had a bit of a shot at it. "With time I could fall into it, there's no reason that if we spent a bit of time doing BSB I could put in a half decent charge at it."
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Brain fog' after NW200 crash was worrying
Motorcycle road racer Jamie Coward says he believes he "got away lightly" after crashing at last month's North West 200 but explained that persistent "brain fog" was a concern in the weeks following the 34-year-old came off his Kawasaki machine at Quarry Hill during the opening Supertwins race over the Triangle circuit and was taken to hospital in Coleraine for treatment on his returned home to England a few days later but missed the subsequent Isle of Man TT."At first in hospital they thought I had a bleed on the brain but they had to send it off to a specialist to find out if it was or not," Coward told BBC Sport NI."It turned out it was just badly bruised. I was severely concussed and for about four or five weeks I've not really felt like myself and it wasn't really until a week ago that a lightbulb came on and I'm back to myself again."At one point it got quite worrying with it being such a long time with that brain fog."Coward revealed that he also sustained "a hole in the leg" in the accident on the Saturday of race week."I'm not sure what punctured my leg, but either a footpeg or a handlebar or a lever went about four or five inches into my leg and left quite a big deep wound."I had to leave that open, let it heal from the inside out, but the worst thing was the bang on the head."I'm back to normal, back working and looking forward to getting back on a bike." 'I blacked out when I hit the floor' The Yorkshireman had been competing at the North West for the first time since 2022 and his stable of machinery also included a factory-backed Triumph for the Supersport class and BMW bikes for the 1000cc has achieved podium finishes at both the North West and the TT in the past and had posted sixth places in the opening Superbike and Supersport races on the Thursday evening of this year's event, before crashing two days later."I felt really good and on that first race day at the North West. I had some really strong results after being away for two years."I can remember exactly what happened [in the crash]. I tried to go past somebody into the last corner. He went defensive, as you do on the last lap of the race, and as I grabbed the brake I lost the front end. When I hit the floor I blacked out and I can't remember anything else until I woke up in the hospital."In previous incidents and crashes there, people ended their careers."Coward's racing itinerary in the coming weeks will include a return to the Armoy road races on 25-26 was named man-of-the-meeting at the event in 2024."I'm hoping that the confidence is still there when I get back on the bike and I'll be trying my best to get back to where I was," added the KTS Steadplan Racing rider."I absolutely love the Armoy road races. It's very reminiscent of the Southern 100 races where I started my road racing career."The committee, the people who run it, are really friendly and I love the circuit and the spectators come out in force."Last year Coward won both Supertwins races, setting a new lap record for the class at 100.536mph in the process, and also achieved two third positions and a fourth in other races at the meeting in County Antrim."You cross the finish line and people are waving their programmes at you. There's no other feeling like it."If I can find that confidence I had before the crash then we should be there or thereabouts and fighting for podiums and wins again."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dunlop and Booth receive MBEs in King's Birthday Honours
Michael Dunlop and Neil Booth have spoken of their immense pride after being awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours. Dunlop, 36, is regarded as a road racing great as the record holder for the most number of wins and podiums at the Isle of Man TT, making it 33 victories just last week. The Ballymoney man comes from a family synonymous with motorcycling and tragedy, with his father Robert, brother William and uncle Joey all tragically passing away while pursuing the sport they loved. Michael has remained committed to racing as, in addition to his exploits on the Isle of Man, he has enjoyed success at the North West 200, claiming his first victory just days after his father's death in 2008 when topping the podium in the 250cc race. His most recent outing at the North West saw him secure a hat-trick of wins to bring his tally to eight overall and further cement his legacy in the sport. He now follows in the footsteps of his uncle Joey, who was also made an MBE in 1986 before being presented with an OBE 10 years later. "This is a wonderful honour for me and for my family," he said. "I am proud to represent Northern Ireland sport, and motorcycling in this country. "Our team has had another brilliant year, with a hat trick at the NW200, and smashing into the record books again at the Isle of Man TT. "To be the not just the most successful rider in the history of the TT, but also to have the record number of podiums and to have won on the biggest number of manufacturers is extremely special. "I am humbled to be awarded this honour from the Palace." County Antrim bowler Booth has spoken of his "delight", having been awarded an MBE. The highly-decorated 57-year-old enjoyed a remarkable career on the green and has since brought that expertise into his role as coach of the Irish men's team which opens its 2025 Mainstream International Programme with a test match away to Bowls Jersey over the weekend. Booth will go there with an added spring in his step after news of his recognition was made public on Friday and he admits he was a little shocked when first contacted. "I saw the letter outside the door with 'Cabinet Office' on the front and started to think I was going to be extradited, but I was delighted when I opened it up," he said. "I can't imagine what the whole occasion will be like, but I'm really looking forward to it. We'll make a weekend out of it but I imagine I'll be pretty nervous." Booth recently collected the High Performance Coaching Award at the Sport NI Sportmaker ceremony at Titanic Belfast and this will sit alongside a host of medals and honours collected down through the years. The Portglenone man is a three-time medallist at the World Championships which includes gold in the fours back in 2004 when the Championships were held in Ayr. Booth is also in possession of four Commonwealth Games medals, including gold from the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur and bronze in Manchester 2002 - both in the fours - while taking silver medals in the triples in the Melbourne Games of 2006 and again in Glasgow 2014. As a coach, he helped guide Northern Ireland's men to the men's fours title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Gary Kelly taking silver in the men's singles. In 2020, he completed a charity challenge when playing bowls in 52 clubs throughout Ireland to raise awareness of mental health issues, which underlined his commitment to help others. The awarding of an MBE is the crowning glory and Booth reflected on a superb career, but insists he will accept the award on behalf of the entire sport. "I've probably played at that high level from he late 80s, early 90s, all the way through to 2014," he added. "Since then, the coaching role has gone really well and the men's team is second in the world at the minute, which is exceptional. I'm just delighted as this says a lot about the sport in general. It's come on leaps and bounds over here, so this is an award for the entire sport, as much as it is for myself."
