North West 200 race day preview

By Aaron O'Neill

With just hours to go until racing gets underway for the 2018 Vauxhall International North West 200 runners and riders will be gearing up for the daunting challenges of the 8.9 mile circuit.

With a mixture of fast straights, intricate turns and chicanes the North West gives the biggest names in road racing the chance to test their machines to the limit on the public roads between Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.

Already this week we have witnessed 3 action packed races with 3 different winners and some of the closest contests on display around the North Coast track in recent years. Alastair Seeley, Peter Hickman and Martin Jessopp all stood on the top step of the podium on Thursday night and they will be hoping for more of the same this time around.

Thursday night’s winning trio will certainly have the targets on their back as they are the men which the rest of the paddock will be hoping to emulate. Michael Dunlop finished third in Thursday’s opening Superstock race and the Ballymoney man will be well in the mix for honours in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes.

Lee Johnston was unfortunate not to follow up his Supersport podium on Thursday as a mechanical failure meant the Fermanagh man was a retirement in the Superstock class so he will be looking to set the record straight.

Tobermore’s Adam McLean impressed in the Supersport and Supertwin onboard his McAdoo Racing Kawasaki whilst team mate James Cowton is also expected to be in and around the front runners.

Ballymoney’s William Dunlop is set to miss the rest of the event after his high side at Church corner on Thurdays evening. Dunlop sustained heavy bruising to his back and will miss the rest of this year’s event.

The English contingent of riders remains strong with James Hillier, Dean Harrison and Michael Rutter the leading men so far. Manxman Dan Kneen experienced a mixed bag on Thursday evening and he too will be gunning for success on Saturday.

Below is a full list of Saturday’s race schedule:

Saturday, May 19 - 9:15am to 7pm: Roads closed for racing

Race 1: Supersport Race 1 - 6 laps

Race 2: Superbike Race 1 - 7 laps

Race 3: Supertwin Race 1 - 4 laps

Race 4: Superstock Race 2 - 6 laps

Race 5: NW200 Superbike Race 2 - 7 la

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