North West 200: Seeley seals superb opening race double
Alastair Seeley is the toast of the North West 200.
The Carrick rider helped himself to an opening double as racing got under last night (Thursday)
He won both Supersport and Superstock races - to notch up a record 26 victories overall in the event
“I won nothing in 2019 but now that monkey is off my back.” Seeley said after claiming his 25th win 14 years after he won his first NW200 race.
Jeremy McWilliams was delighted with his podium result in the difficult conditions.
“That was a lot of fun.” the 58 year old smiled.
“I knew when the conditions were like that that we had the chance of a podium. You have to grab it with both hands because you don’t get the chance to stand on the podium at the North West 200 very often.”
The former Grand Prix star also paid tribute to John Burrows’s squad.
“That was one for the team who have worked so hard this week.” he said.
Conditions were even worse for the Turkington Superstock race which run over its full six lap distance.
“It was like a winter’s day out there.” Seeley said.
“It was slippy, wet and cold and there wasn’t a lot of grip.”
Richard Cooper was runner-up in the Saturday Superstock race in 2019 on the north coast and the former British champion picked up where he left off before settling for third place behind Todd after getting tangled with a backmarker in the closing stages of the race.
“I tried to go with Davey but I lost the tow after getting caught behind the backmarker.” Todd, who is still recovering from a serious leg injury in a BSB crash during 2020.
“The conditions were just too sketchy to try and catch him up again.” he said.
“I haven’t done much racing lately so it is a good start to our week here and hopefully there will be more on Saturday.”
The evening’s action was brought to a premature end as the organisers cancelled the Milltown Service Station Supertwins race in the deteriorating conditions.
“With failing light and a lot of surface water on the track it would not be possible to complete the two sighting laps and a four lap race by 9pm when the roads must be re-opened.” they said.
The action will resume on Saturday with a five race programme, including two Superbike events, with the roads closing at 9.15am.