Stage is set for the North West 200

Ninety years of racing are set to be celebrated when the opening practice session gets underway at the 2019 International North West 200.

The paddock is full and the stage is set on a sun drenched North Coast for would could possibly be the most memorable week of racing ever at the North West.

There has been much hype and expectation from the road racing faithful as John McGuinness makes his return for Norton.

The Morecambe missile sustained career threatening injuries at the event two years ago but is hopeful of being competitive this year.

All the talk has surrounded the duel between Alastair Seeley and Glenn Irwin in the build up to the event. Both riders have enjoyed a switch of teams for 2019.

Irwin has made the switch to Kawasaki whilst Seeley has teamed up with Paul Bird’s Ducati team in the Superbike class and EHA Racing in the Supersport class. Both riders are capable of winning this week, however, they will be seeking to gain their base setup early in order to mount an early challenge.

Much speculation suggested that Michael Dunlop would miss the North West due to a wrist injury; however, the Ballymoney man is all set to make his return to racing with the Tyco BMW outfit following the tragic death of his brother, the late William Dunlop, last year.

Peter Hickman is hoping to be in the thick of the action this week onboard the all new Smith’s BMW whilst Honda will be relying on Ian Hutchinson and David Johnson for results in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Last year’s form man Dean Harrison will be aiming to carry on from a successful year in 2018. The Bradford rider remained with the Silicone Engineering outfit over the winter and will be targeting the rostrum places ahead of the Isle of Man TT next month.

Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston is in good for coming to the North West after a string of positive results in the opening rounds of the British Superbike championship. Johnston has went back to basics this season after a disappointing spell with Honda last season and has highlighted that he is happy to be back riding with the privateer outfit.

Buildbase Suzuki's Richard Cooper is a newcomer to the North West 200 this year but does not seem at all phased by that prospect.

The Nottingham rider comes to the North Coast in good form after a string of solid results in the British Superstock 1000 championship sees him sitting pretty, with a seven-point advantage, at the top of the pile after the opening two rounds.

Cooper has already admitted that he has been doing his homework ahead of the 90th anniversary of the North West and he could prove to be a dark horse if he can get comfortable with his machine and the unfamiliar surroundings of road racing.

Manxman Connor Cummins should also be in the mix this week as Derek Shiels and Derek McGee lead the local challenge whilst James Hillier will be looking for a positive start to his road racing campaign.

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