There could not have been a better start to the racing program of the 2024 edition of the North West 200. The first race “sprint” of the Superbike class, divided over the distance of just 4 laps (equal to 35.75 miles) of theTriangle‘, produced yet another hurrah from Glenn Irwin. The native of Carrickfergus, predicted to be the favorite on the eve, however had to work hard to beat and face the assaults of a wild Davey Todd, riding the Ducati Panigale V4 R dressed in Hager PBM colors right up to the end.
IRWIN VS TODD OPENS THE NORTH WEST 200
Author of the new lap record in the tests of 4’16″433 at 125.928 miles per hour (202.661 km/h) on average, the current leader of the British Superbike standings, at least on paper, seemed close to experiencing a race as an undisputed showman . As often happens between Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, the races then become a story apart, as reaffirmed in this “sprint” with Davey Todd (Milwaukee BMW by TAS) in direct competition for the victory from the start until the checkered flag.
GLENN ONLY TAKES IT IN THE FINAL
Author of a better start at the start, Todd set the pace until the halfway point of the contest, although followed like a shadow by the #1 Ducati. Irwin then waited until the penultimate lap to launch the attack on Juniper Hill, with the TAS Racing driver then responding to him on the final lap braking towards the Mather’s Cross Chicane. A better exit gave Irwin the opportunity to respond and travel quickly towards victory, with Todd then attempting an impossible attack on Juniper Hill, consequently also losing contact with the Ducatista.
HISTORIC NINTH SUPERBIKE VICTORY AT THE NORTH WEST 200
For Glenn Irwin this is the ninth (consecutive) victory among the Superbikes at the North West 200, equalizing the scores in this category with Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter. On Saturday he will have the opportunity to reach double figures in class at the event, however already delivering the first hurrah in road racing to the renewed PBM team now managed by Frank and Jordan Bird, son and daughter of the late ‘Birdy‘.
MICHAEL DUNLOP COMPLETES THE PODIUM
Michael Dunlop finished third with the Honda CBR 1000RR-R prepared by Hawk Racing, 16″ behind the dueling contenders for victory, able to prevail in the final confrontation with Peter Hickman (4th with the BMW M 1000 RR managed and fielded by his own PHR Performance ) and Dean Harrison, fifth with a spectacular ride aboard the Honda Racing UK CBR Stock. Conor Cummins (Padgett’s Honda) was also sixth, ahead of John McGuinness (Honda Racing UK), who thus began the celebrations of his 30th year of racing at the North West 200. Good nineteenth place for Luca Gottardi, fielded by Penz13 BMW and able to finish ahead of road racers with proven experience at the Triangle.
