NORTH WEST 200
Saturday 14th May 2022
Six in a row for Glenn Irwin at the North West 200
Today at the 2022 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 history was made as Honda Racing UK's Glenn Irwin stormed to victory in both Superbike races aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, taking a record-breaking six Superbike wins in a row at the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit.
The opening race of the day was the six-lap Anchor Bar Superbike Race, where Glenn started from pole position after a sensational qualifying session earlier in the week. Straight off the line Glenn was in the lead, but hot on his heels was Davey Todd on the Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles Fireblade.
It was then a battle of the Blades over the six laps, which saw Glenn and Davey swapping places throughout. On the final lap, Davey fought back diving up the inside at Magherabuoy, but ran wide. With Davey wide Glenn made his move and keeping Davey at bay along the coast road, he crossed the line claiming his fifth NW200 Superbike race in a row by a quarter of a second. The win also marked the first International Road Race win for the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, which made its Road race debut at the North West 200.
Having made history in the opening Superbike race, all eyes were on the final feature Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike Race. Dominating proceedings throughout the seven laps, Glenn crossed the line to claim his sixth consecutive Superbike race win, 2.494s ahead of Richard Cooper in second.
Honda's North West 200 campaign has also been successful for John McGuinness MBE, who comes away with solid results aboard the Fireblade coming home 11th in the opening Superbike Race, as well as fifth in both the CP Hire Limited Superstock and Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike Races.
The Honda Racing UK team will now turn its attention to the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next weekend (20-22 May) at Donington Park, where Honda will mark the 30th Anniversary of the Fireblade with a weekend of celebrations, before heading back to the Roads for the Isle of Man TT Races on 29 May - 10 June.
#1 Glenn Irwin
Job done! When I came here I'd had success before at the North West 200, but to come here with Honda was something else and we arrived at a time where my BSB career has taken a huge step forward, so we arrived probably with me riding the best I have ever ridden. You do put pressure on yourself, you've won here before and you feel like you can do it again, but it never works like that, you have to fight for it and you can't be complacent. Fair play to my team, today has just been a dream! We came here to win the big ones and the level here is so high, so to win both the Superbike races this year and lead that calibre of field is such a good feeling. I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported me along the way, the team, Honda UK, my family, my friends and all my sponsors, as well as the North West 200 organisers, its sponsors the marshals and everyone behind the scenes who makes the event happen, and of course the supporters. The last lap of the feature Superbike race was incredible, it was so overwhelming with the support out there along the course.
#2 John McGuinness MBE
It's all super positive today, the team has worked mint and we've all had a laugh, but got down to business when we needed to. My other side of the garage with Glenn, what can I say, just brilliant, what a class act! My side has just been getting better and better, the first Superbike race was a bit disappointing, the tyre on the bike in front of me delaminated and it spooked me out a little for the rest of the race. The Stocker race I got stuck in, I ride that week in, week out and just felt comfortable and bike fit! We had the six-lap Superstock race, followed straight away by a seven-lap Superbike race, that's quite hard, but I felt good. The sun shone today, everyone is safe, there was no red flags and it's a testament to the riders and organisers. It was so good to see the fans out there, it's been a long time since I've seen crowds like that around the course here - it was epic! I've enjoyed this week, working again with Honda, my team, Glenn - the atmosphere in the paddock, the weather today - road racing is back!
The North West 200, Anchor Bar Superbike Race
1. Glenn Irwin #1 (Honda Racing UK) Honda: 25:59.274
2. Davey Todd #74 (Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles) Honda: +0.253
3. Richard Cooper #47 (Hawk Racing) Suzuki: +11.491
4. Josh Brookes #72 (MCE Ducati Racing) Ducati - 4:27.054 +25.334
5. Alastair Seeley #34 IFS (Yamaha) Yamaha: +34.713
6. Conor Cummins #11 (Milenco by Padgett's Motorcycles) Honda: +34.956
7. James Hillier #37 (RICH Energy OMG Racing) Yamaha: +55.175
8. Michael Rutter #3 (Bathams Racing) BMW: +56.006
9. Ian Hutchinson #4 (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) BMW: +1:03.033
10. Nathan Harrison #15 (Quayside Racing) by IOMSP) Honda: +1:05.832
11. John McGuinness MBE #2 (Honda Racing UK) Honda: +1:10.519
The North West 200, CP Hire Limited Superstock
1. Alastair Seeley #34 IFS - (Yamaha) Yamaha: 26:23.700
2. Lee Johnston #13 (Ashcourt Racing) BMW: +11.742
3. Dean Harrison #5 (DAO Racing) Kawasaki: +12.721
4. Michael Sweeney #65 (MJR Racing) BMW: +31.405
5. John McGuinness MBE #2 (Honda Racing UK) Honda: +31.655
6. Sam West #10 (Moto Hub (PRL)) BMW: +39.157
7. Nathan Harrison #15 (Quayside Racing by IOMSP) Honda: +41.742
8. Craig Neve #9 (CN Racing) BMW: +1:16.761
9. Jamie Coward #36 (KTS Racing by Steadplan) Yamaha: +1:21.740
10. Lukas Maurer #8 (L78 by Heidger Motorsport) Kawasaki: +1:26.220
The North West 200, Merrow Hotel & Spa NW200 Superbike
1. Glenn Irwin #1 (Honda Racing UK) Honda: 30:21.682
2. Richard Cooper #47 (Hawk Racing) Suzuki: +2.494
3. Josh Brookes #72 (MCE Ducati Racing) Ducati: +28.957
4. Ian Hutchinson #4 (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) BMW: +59.570
5. John McGuinness MBE #2 (Honda Racing UK) Honda: +1:02.982
6. James Hillier #37 (RICH Energy OMG Racing) Yamaha: +1:10.426
7. Michael Rutter #3 (Bathams Racing) BMW: +1:23.628
8. Phillip Crowe #77 (Agriwash) BMW: +1:48.818
9. Craig Neve #9 (Callmac Scaffolding) BMW: +1:57.521
10. Lukas Maurer #8 (L78 by Heidger Motorsport) Kawasaki: +2:08.351
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