North West 200 2026: High Drama, Red Flags and Performances to Remember
Strong winds, repeated stoppages and no shortage of tension made Saturday at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 a test of nerve as much as speed. Yet through seven red flags and six interrupted races, the Triangle still delivered the kind of duels, milestones and breakout rides that define road racing at its most compelling.
Saturday at the 2026 Briggs Equipment North West 200 unfolded as a day of trials and triumphs. Conditions were difficult, delays were frequent and momentum was repeatedly broken, but the racing still produced moments that will live long in the memory.
From Peter Hickman’s last-lap strike in the opening Sportbike/Supertwin contest to Storm Stacey’s remarkable pair of victories and Glenn Irwin’s hard-fought Superbike success, the meeting was packed with stories worth telling.
Maxwell Freight Sportbike/Supertwin Race
The opening race immediately set the tone, developing into a gripping contest between 62-year-old Jeremy McWilliams, fastest qualifier on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha R7, and Peter Hickman on the similar Swan Racing by PHR Yamaha.
McWilliams led for most of the race, aside from Hickman’s brief spell at the front on lap two between Mather’s and Magherabouy chicanes. With only tenths separating them, the Englishman made his decisive move at Juniper on the final lap, diving underneath the Ulsterman and holding on to win by 0.46 seconds. Alastair Seeley completed the podium, another 0.623 seconds back on the Binch Racing by 3B Construction Aprilia.
Paul Jordan, a North West Supertwin winner 12 months ago, fought back to fourth after overshooting at University Corner on the opening lap, yet still set the fastest lap of the race at 112.231mph. Jamie Coward and Christian Elkin rounded out the top six.
There was late confusion too: McWilliams said in parc fermé that he had not seen a last-lap signal and believed there was still another tour to go. Hickman, though, was simply delighted to open his account.
“McWilliams’ bike has a little bit more poke than ours, but overall I’m really, really happy to get Swan another P1 here at the North West,” said the 39-year-old.
“After last year’s disappointment, it is absolutely fantastic. We’ve got some more improvements, hopefully, to come before the TT, so we think we’re going to get a bit stronger again, which will be even better.”
Briggs Equipment Superbike Race
Glenn Irwin, already an 11-time North West 200 Superbike winner, returned to the north coast in 2026 after missing last year’s meeting and was quickly drawn into a fierce fight with Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison in the opening six-lap Superbike race, which had to be restarted after an incident at Church Corner.
Harrison, quickest in qualifying, remained glued to Irwin throughout. The Ducati rider set the fastest lap of the race on lap three at 124.997mph before the Yorkshireman briefly nosed ahead along the coast road on the fourth circuit.
Irwin struck back under braking into Metropole on the following lap and held Harrison off to the flag, claiming his 12th North West 200 Superbike victory by just 0.181 seconds.
Michael Dunlop took the final podium place on the Hawk Racing Honda, more than 14 seconds behind the leading pair. Peter Hickman was fourth on the 8 Ten Racing BMW, followed by Josh Brookes and Ian Hutchinson.
Further back, seventh-placed Storm Stacey underlined his potential by setting the fastest-ever lap by a newcomer at 123.725mph on the Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW.
“Yeah, they are all as special as each other,” Irwin said after the win.
“Dean was riding incredibly well. We do struggle to make the bike last for fuel, so the plan was never to break Dean. I don’t think that’s possible either, to be honest. He was riding so well. He passed me in areas where people have never passed me.”
“He’s the first rider to pass me into the Juniper chicane!”
Irwin also admitted he was managing a physical issue late in the race.
“My biggest thing is my arm. After a couple of laps, I’m in a lot of trouble and I can’t use my strength in braking. I tried to manage my body on the last lap.”
Tides Restaurant Supersport Race
Alastair Seeley arrived in the class chasing an elusive 30th North West 200 victory and had set the pace in qualifying on the Binch Pro Racing by 3B Construction Ducati. In the race itself, however, it was Michael Dunlop who took charge on a similar machine.
The Ballymoney rider was declared the winner for SCARS Ducati by MD Racing after the race was red-flagged twice following separate crashes at Mill Road Roundabout involving Ian Hutchinson, Richard Cooper and Paul Jordan. All three riders were reported unhurt.
Dean Harrison set a new class lap record at 118.748mph on lap four, but it was not enough to deny Dunlop, who won by 0.292 seconds. Josh Brookes completed the podium on the Carl Cox Motorsport/Uggly & Co Suzuki, with Seeley fourth. Carl Phillips and New Zealander Mitch Rees completed the top six after eye-catching rides.
“I take my hat off to the SCARS Racing team,” Dunlop said afterwards.
“The wee bike is lovely. It’s working really well and I was keen to get one under my belt today, so that’s definitely a good start for the lads. I felt good, I kept up the pace and the bike was doing everything I wanted it to do. I knew this week was going to be hard, but to win around here is very special.”
CP Hire Superstock Race
The CP Hire Superstock race produced one of the stories of the meeting as popular newcomer Storm Stacey claimed a sensational victory on the Alpha Racing by GRYD BMW. The race was red-flagged and restarted over four laps after an incident at University Corner involving Richard Cooper.
The 23-year-old Englishman, already a fan favourite, became the first newcomer to win on debut around the 8.9-mile Triangle since Christian Elkin in 2007.
Stacey sealed the win by setting a new lap record at 124.498mph and defeating Michael Dunlop after a race-long fight. Josh Brookes claimed his second podium of the event in third, while Ian Hutchinson, John McGuinness and Mike Browne completed the top six.
“The goal was to come, have a good, successful North West 200 and go home happy,” Stacey said after his breakthrough win.
“But you get a bit carried away when you’re racing. I really enjoyed that race, especially with Michael, because it was a new experience for me. I’ve never raced with him before, but it was good having some duels. There was a bit of ‘who dares wins’ on the brakes, and I think I won all the battles there, so it was great fun.”
John M Paterson Sportbike and Supertwin Race
Jeremy McWilliams put the disappointment of the opening Twins race behind him by taking victory on the Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV Yamaha R7 in the second Sportbike/Supertwin encounter.
Race one winner Peter Hickman led to University on the opening lap, but McWilliams moved ahead there and steadily built his advantage, eventually winning by 5.8 seconds.
Paul Jordan took second for Jackson Racing/Prosper2 Aprilia and again set the fastest lap of the class, improving on his fourth-place finish from earlier in the day.
Alastair Seeley completed the podium aboard the Binch Racing by 3B Construction Aprilia.
“That’s been coming for a while,” McWilliams said.
“I’ve been waiting for that. It’s an awesome bike and we made it a bit better for the second race. I’m delighted. I got caught napping this morning and Peter got away from me, but I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been chasing this for a while. Everyone was telling me the older I got, the less likely it was, but I just kept my head down until it came along. The reception was incredible.”
Seeley, meanwhile, was left reflecting on another missed chance to reach a landmark 30th North West 200 win.
“We came here to get the 30th win, but it didn’t happen,” he said.
“We lacked speed and we tried something, but it was probably the wrong direction. I brought it home and you have to be in it to win it. I was gifted a podium, but we’ll take it. We’ll have to come back next year.”
Jamie Coward finished fourth, newcomer Franco Bourne impressed in fifth on the Team ILR Frog Paton, and Christian Elkin completed the top six.
Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike Race
Flagged away by TV personality and Long Way Round adventurer Charley Boorman, the feature six-lap Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike race was ultimately cut short by an oil spill along the coast road from the exit of Juniper chicane.
With time running out before the 6.45pm road-opening deadline, organisers were unable to clear the circuit, and Storm Stacey was declared the winner after three laps.
Stacey had taken the lead from Glenn Irwin at York Corner on the opening lap before Dean Harrison moved ahead at Magherabouy. The trio traded places in a thrilling three-lap scrap, with Stacey leading across the line each time and therefore taking the win when the red flags came out as lap four was about to begin.
“It is unbelievable,” Stacey said afterwards.
“I couldn’t ask for any more. With two wins to my name already and a lap record, it doesn’t really get much better. Glenn did all the talking for me before this event and I did exactly what he said I was going to do.”
“It was a fun race,” Irwin said.
“Storm was riding mega, Dean as well. We all took turns sharing the lead.”
“It was an eventful North West 200,” Harrison said.
“That’s what makes the North West what it is. It always throws up the unexpected and I feel like I’m always there or thereabouts. I’m riding well at the minute and I’ve enjoyed my week. The weather has been a bit up and down, today was good apart from a little wind, and the event as a whole is unbelievable. I’m still chasing a win and I’ll keep trying.”
