Motorbikes

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Rea is to travel to the fourth round of the World Superbike Championship at Cremona in Italy "with the intention of riding", his Pata Yamaha team has revealed.

The Northern Ireland rider missed the first three rounds of the 2025 series at Phillip Island in Australia, Portimao in Portugal and Assen in the Netherlands after sustaining multiple fractures to his left foot in a crash while testing in February.

Rea subsequently had successful surgery in Belfast and has been continuing his recovery at home.

An update issued by his team indicated that the six-time world champion was to return "after consultation with his medical team in Northern Ireland, travelling to Cremona with the intention of riding pending official review with the FIM Medical Director on Thursday".

The statement added that Rea "had left no stone unturned in his efforts to recover as quickly as possible from the injuries sustained to his left foot at the Phillip Island Official Test in February".

The 38-year-old said he was "super excited" to be on the brink of a return to action.

"It feels like a really long couple of months, but in the last 3-4 weeks I've maximised regaining strength and function of my left foot," he explained.

The injury was a lot more serious than first expected and I just want to thank everybody that was behind me to get back on track, especially the fans and all the messages of encouragement.

He added: "I feel confident and ready – Cremona is a track that I haven't raced at before but I was able to spin a few laps in testing last season. I'm just so happy to be back with my team and riding my Yamaha R1."

Rea is in his second season with his Yamaha team after a disappointing campaign in 2024 which saw him finish 13th overall in the standings and secure a solitary podium finish at the UK round of the championship at Donington.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

A number of riders are recovering after suffering fractures in incidents at Saturday's Cookstown 100 road races at the Orritor circuit.

Scottish competitor Donald MacFadyen came off during the Open B race and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital by air ambulance.

Writing on Facebook, MacFadyen said: "Thanks for all the help, kind messages. Getting looked after great here.

"Latest is I have 2 stable spine fractures, broken wrist and 8 broken ribs."

Noel Carroll from county Laois sustained broken ribs in the same race, a spokesperson for the Cookstown 100 club organisers confirmed.

The air ambulance was also deployed to carry Republic of Ireland rider Damian Horan to hospital following a crash in the Open A race later in the day.

Race organisers confirmed that the Athlone man had suffered fractures.

Both races were halted by red flags after the incidents happened.

Simon Lehane, who crashed in the Moto3 event, was taken to hospital for a check-up, but has been discharged and has travelled home to England.

Image source, Pacemaker

Michael Dunlop secured a win double and broke the absolute course record at the Cookstown 100 road races on Saturday.

Dunlop, riding a V2 Ducati, led from start to finish in the Supersport race, run in dry conditions over nine laps of the 2.1-mile Orritior course.

McGee, on an ex-Ten Kate World Supersport machine, pushed Dunlop for much of the race but trailed by four seconds at the chequered flag in finishing second.

Michael Sweeney, Darryl Tweed and Kevin Keyes made up the top five.

Later in the day BMW-mounted Dunlop ran out the victor in the feature Cookstown 100 event, holding a 5.6 seconds advantage over early leader Sweeney, with McGee a further 16.5 seconds in arrears in third.

The Ballymoney rider set the new lap record on his sixth circuit of seven with a speed of 91.773mph, one minute 22.377 seconds.

Mullingar rider McGee was a convincing winner of the Moto3 class, coming home 18.75 seconds ahead of Manxman Dan Sayle, with Nigel Moore third.

The Republic of Ireland racer then brought his KMR Kawasaki home 1.4 seconds ahead of Skerries man Sweeney in the Supertwins race, with Tweed occupying the final podium spot, Manx newcomer Joe Yeardsley fourth and Neil Kernohan fifth.

McGee, a former Irish Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin champion, is now based in the Netherlands and is making his first appearance at the Cookstown races since 2019.

Darryl Tweed won both the Lightweight Supersport and Classic Superbike races.

Saturday's race programme was punctuated by red flag incidents, including lengthy delays following crashes in the Open B and Open A races.

Friday's action was restricted to free practice sessions because of the wet and windy weather at the county Tyrone course.

Image source, Isle of Man TT

Sixteen-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson and Republic of Ireland Mike Browne have been confirmed as the riders for MLav Racing's debut appearance at the Isle of Man TT.

The team is owned by former British Supersport champion and 10-time British Superbike race winner Michael Laverty and has competed in the Moto3 World Championship and Junior categories, including the FIM Junior GP Championship and British Talent Cup.

Hutchinson will have both Superbike and Superstock BMW M1000RR machinery available for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races, with Browne opting to concentrate on a Superstock-spec bike for all four 1000cc events.

Hutchinson will also contest the two Supersport races on machinery that has yet to be finalised.

The 45-year-old missed the 2023 TT after suffering a stroke but returned last year with the Milenco by Padgett's team, securing 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th place finishes.

Browne clinched his second TT podium in 2024 thanks to a third position in the second Supertwin race.

The Killeagh rider finished inside the top 10 in all seven of his races.

"Anyone who knows me knows I've always loved the TT and even though I never raced the Mountain Course, it's the pinnacle of our sport," said team boss Laverty.

"Plans for setting up a new team started with a casual conversation back in September and although initially, I was approached to assist a team, the more I thought about it the more it made sense to do it ourselves.

"My Grand Prix commitments keep me busy, and it's taken me a bit longer to get everything boxed off in terms of sponsors, team personnel and infrastructure, but I spoke to a couple of riders, getting Hutchy signed up first and then Mike."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Michael Dunlop says he is "keen to get back on the bike and get riding" after being confirmed as a late entry for this weekend's Cookstown 100 event.

The 29-time Isle of Man TT winner has recovered from a crash at last weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours and will feature in the first event of the Irish road racing season.

"I'm not too bad, just a few bumps and bruises...black and blue one side and black and blue the other side," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI.

"Whatever way I landed, I got a bit of a doing but my suit and helmet did a great job. I'm black and blue from the impact but no broken bones."

Dunlop, 35, is testing Ducati V2 and Superstock machines ahead of the North West 200, which begins on 7 May.

In 2024, the Ballymoney rider surpassed his uncle Joey's record of Isle of Man TT wins and he admits that "took a lot of weight off my shoulders" ahead of this year.

"Last year, he TT was obviously the main objective," he said.

"I was just a bit disappointed with the North West, obviously picking up an injury here last year hindered me.

"I'm looking forward to getting to the North West and having a real good go at it. The bikes are looking well, we've a bit of work to do with the Superbike, we were left high and dry a little bit and we're working hard to get it done.

"Hopefully we get out on it very shortly and at the North West put a show on and then leads us on to the TT."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

"Do you really understand what living is if you never put your life at any risk?"

This reflection by long-time race chaplain Reverend John Kirkpatrick is one of several thought-provoking moments in a new BBC film goes behind the scenes of motorcycle road racing to examine what motivates riders to risk their lives in their chosen sport and how they deal with the inherent dangers.

'Ride or Die', a DoubleBand Films production, airs on BBC One across the UK at 22:40 on Thursday 10 April and is available to view on demand on BBC iPlayer.

The programme follows three riders in the weeks leading up to the North West 200 international road races on the north coast of Northern Ireland where riders hit speeds of up to 200mph in their pursuit of glory and high-speed thrills.

Fermanagh native Lee Johnston, a five-time winner who now resides in Huddersfield, had a near fatal accident at the event in 2023 and as he recovers from his extensive injuries he finds himself in a race of his own to be ready for the 2024 meeting.

Johnston, one of the most accomplished and most popular riders in the sport, explains what drives him to return to the saddle despite his brush with death.

Trailblazing female racer Maria Costello is one of only a handful of women in the sport. Having raced for 30 years, Maria explains that it was often in defiance of her mum's wishes that she raced.

However she is now in a different place. Having recently lost her mum to cancer, Maria is determined to get back racing, noting that it gives her something that she needs as she tries to come to terms with her sense of loss.

Republic of Ireland competitor Kevin Keyes is an accomplished short circuit racer but is participating in the much more dangerous sport of road racing for the first time. We join him on his journey as he prepares to tackle the nine-mile Triangle circuit and shares something of his faith and beliefs.

Sense of community

Those taking part are supported by family – who are there to help, count down the laps and to worry.

The film hears how they watch from behind the barriers as their loved ones push the limits and conveys something of the anguish they go through.

We are also told of the very personal journey of the family of Jamie Hodson from Wigan, who was killed at the 2017 Ulster Grand Prix.

His brother Rob recalls how he was involved in the accident. A stark reminder of the grief which results when things go very wrong on the track.

Through the work of retired Presbyterian minister, Reverend Kirkpatrick, the film also examines the relationship between some of those involved in road racing and the Christian faith.

As a race chaplain for more than 30 years, Rev Kirkpatrick has officiated at the funerals of several riders who have lost their lives competing in the sport.

He helps foster a sense of community in the paddock while examining the conflict between the sanctity of life which underpins his Christian faith and a sport that involves great risk but brings great exhilaration and personal fulfilment.

Image source, Pacemaker

English rider Richard Cooper won both Supersport races and the two Supertwins events to take a four-timer at the opening round of the Ulster Superbike series at Bishopscourt on Saturday.

The BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha-mounted competitor from Nottingham secured healthy advantages of 12.5 seconds and 8.5 seconds over runner-up Korie McGreevy in the Supersport outings, with Graeme Irwin third on both occasions.

Cooper came home ahead of Gary McCoy and Caolan Irwin in the Twins races on his KMR Racing Kawasaki.

McGreevy edged out Cooper in the first Superbike race of the day on his McAdoo Racing Kawasaki, with Andy Reid making up the podium positions and McCoy, Michael Sweeney and Jonny Campbell completing the top six leaderboard.

McCoy took race two by a mere 0.07 seconds from McGreevy, followed by Cooper, Carl Phillips, Reid and Ross Irwin, with defending champion Campbell, who has switched from Yamaha to BMW machinery, seventh.

McGreevy is the early leader of the championship after the Temple Motorcycle Club's meeting.

Riding his Burrows Engineering by RK Racing machinery, Manxman Conor Cummins was ninth in both Superbike races and claimed fourth and sixth place finishes in the Supersports.

Jack Burrows was a convincing winner of both Lightweight events.

Image source, Pacemaker

Leading motorcycle road racing exponents James Hillier and Dominic Herbertson have lost their scheduled rides for this year's North West 200 and Isle of Man TT events with the news that their WTF (We're The Future) Racing team has withdrawn from the meetings.

An official statement from the team issued on 1 April confirmed the news.

"WTF Racing has today announced the immediate cessation of all road racing activities due to significant commercial circumstances beyond the team's control," the statement read.

The team's sister outfit, OMG Racing, has also withdrawn from the 2025 British Superbike Championship for similar reasons.

The squad won the BSB title last year with Kyle Ryde and has captured two championships for Yamaha during their association.

Hampshire rider Hillier rode Honda machinery for the We're The Future team in 2024, securing a fourth place finish in the blue riband Senior TT and fifth positions in the Superbike and Superstock races.

The 40-year-old was fourth in both Superstock outings at the North West last year and took the same placing in one of the three Superbike races.

Speaking on his Facebook page, Hillier described the news of his team's demise as "a big shock".

"I really didn't see that coming and it's not great timing. Where I stand at the moment I don't quite know.

"I'm trying to make progress to sort some machinery and get something in place. We don't have a whole lot of time but we'll try to work something out to get something in place.

"Funding the operation is the biggest thing in today's economic climate."

Herbertson had been scheduled to race for the team for the first time this season.

The 34-year-old from Hexham clinched his first TT podium last year with a third place in the Supertwins class.

Image source, Pacemaker

Alastair Seeley, winner of a record 29 races at the North West 200, has confirmed that he will compete in the Supersport class on Kawasaki machinery at this year's event from 7-10 May.

The Carrickfergus rider will campaign a ZXR 636 Kawasaki prepared by the CD Racing by MSS Performance squad.

Seeley had already revealed that he would ride BMW bikes in the colours of SMS/Nicholl Oils as he returns to the Triangle circuit after sitting out last year's meeting because he was unable to acquire suitable machinery.

The 45-year-old is the most successful Supersport rider in the history of the meeting, having won 13 races in the middleweight class to date, five of those victories coming on Suzukis, four on Kawasakis and four on Yamahas.

"I said I would come back to the North West if I could get competitive machinery and that is what I have now," said Seeley.

"I will be leaving nothing on the table now that we have bikes that are good enough to do the job. Sometimes a year's wait can be worth it because it makes you even hungrier to put on a good show."

Seeley also revealed he has been in 'full scale training mode' since Christmas and has a schedule of Spanish and pre-season BSB tests in place ahead of the new season.

"I will be out there testing alongside the guys I will be racing against at the North West so I will be able to gauge where I am with everything.' he added.

"I want that 30th win and the Supersport races are usually the closest battles at the North West with the result not being sorted out until the last lap. Weather can play a big part as well but I'm not worried about it being wet or dry."

Image source, Pacemaker

Finland's Erno Kostamo will lead a strong and experienced European entry at the 2025 North West 200.

Kostamo, who first raced at the international road race in 2019, finished fifth on his Superstock BMW and collected two sixth place finishes in the opening Superbike races last year.

The 2025 North West 200 takes place from 5-10 May on the north coast of Northern Ireland and will be available to watch across BBC Sport NI.

Kostamo, a former Macau Grand Prix winner, will be joined by fellow International Road Race Championship (IRRC) regulars Almaric Blanc and Laurent Hoffman, who return to the NW200.

Belgium's Hoffman is a regular at the North West 200 and in Macau, and will compete in the Superbike and Superstock classes on a BMW.

Blanc is one of three leading French riders to compete at the event. The 38-year-old, who collected a top-10 Superstock finish in 2024, will race a Honda Fireblade in the Superbike and Superstock classes.

Eddy Ferre will also race a Fireblade in the Superbike and Superstock classes, while Jonathan will compete on a V2 Ducati in the Supersport class, a RS Aprilia Supertwin as well as BMW machinery in the Superbike and Superstock races.

• Get all the latest ahead of the 2025 North West 200 here

Image source, Pacemaker

Northern Ireland's Michael Dunlop finished ninth in the Daytona 200 races in Florida on what was only his second ever appearance at the event.

Dunlop achieved his top-10 placing on a Milwaukee/MD Racing Ducati Panigale V2.

Fellow multiple Isle of Man TT winner Peter Hickman came home fourth on a PHR Performance Triumph 765.

Hickman's team-mate, North West 200 winner Richard Cooper, retired from the race with mechanical problems.

Image source, Pacemaker

Multiple World Superbike champions Jonathan Rea and Carl Fogarty are to headline a special event to remember and celebrate the achievements of motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop in Ballymoney on Saturday 24 May.

The JOEY 25 celebration will be held in the 26-time Isle of Man TT winner's hometown, a quarter of a century since the five-time Formula One world champion's passing as a result of an accident at a race in Estonia in July 2000.

A star-studded line-up of riders will assemble to honour the memory of one of Northern Ireland's most revered sportsmen of all time.

A host of British Superbike riders, Joey's former team-mates, rivals and friends will ride 25 of his original bikes in a closed road event around the town centre.

The event is being staged by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in conjunction with Joey's family, who are pleased his life will be remembered 25 years since he died, aged 48.

"We couldn't think of a better way to remember Joey than an event in his hometown," said Joey's wife Linda.

"This will be the biggest collection of Joey's bikes that has ever been brought together, and to have so many of his friends and famous riders take part in this event is very special.

"This landmark anniversary of Joey's passing is a really tough time for the family, and we would like to thank the local council for staging this event, which we hope thousands of people can enjoy."

Jonathan Rea will ride a famous Joey Dunlop bike at the event.

"I am honoured to be on board one of Joey Dunlop's machines at this celebration event in his home town," said the six-time World Superbike champion.

"What a thrill to be able to ride his Isle of Man winning Yamaha TZ750 around the streets of Ballymoney.

"Joey was a hero of mine growing up and he inspired so many riders from this country, including me, to achieve our dreams"

Image source, Pacemaker

It has been confirmed that international road racers Peter Hickman and Davey Todd will form a new BMW-backed team for the British Superbike Championship, North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

Hickman and Todd will jointly act as team co-owners of the 8TEN Racing team, whose name is an amalgamation of the riders' TT start numbers.

Hickman is a 14-time TT winner, while Todd broke his duck in terms of wins at the event in 2024 by taking the honours in the Superstock and Senior races.

Todd is moving up to compete in the feature British Superbike class in 2025 after securing the second National Superstock title of his career in 2024.

Both riders had been scheduled to ride BMW bikes for FHO Racing in the forthcoming season but a change of plan will see them compete under a new banner but with the same German manufacturer.

Todd commented: I'm really looking forward to this new chapter of my career, riding and co-owning 8TEN Racing. This structure will be a new dynamic to learn, but I've seen it work across other motorcycle championships like Supercross.

"I'm excited to be more involved in the dealings of the team, as well as building on the success I had with BMW last year which ended with a National title and TT victories."

Hickman said: "The opportunity provided by BMW Motorrad UK to co-own and run 8TEN Racing alongside Davey is an exciting concept, and having run my own team across other classes, the insight and experience I have gained over the last few years should put us in good stead to be competitive.

"We know the M1000 RR very well which will allow some continuity, we'll be looking to continue our success on the roads and relish the challenge of being competitive in the British Superbike Championship."

Image source, Pacemaker

Michael Dunlop has entered to ride at the Daytona 200 races in Florida in March on a Milwaukee/MD Racing Ducati V2 Supersport machine.

The record 29-time Isle of Man TT winner tested a Ducati Supersport at the Jerez circuit in Spain in January.

Last season he rode a Triumph 765 at the North West 200, before switching back to his Yamaha R6 at the TT, where he won both races in the middleweight class.

In his only previous appearance at Daytona in 2021, the Northern Ireland rider finished 11th while competing on a Kawasaki 636.

Among the 35-year-old's opposition at the famous American race, which runs from 6-8 March, will be English riders Peter Hickman and Richard Cooper, who will campaign Triumph bikes under the banner of Hickman's PHR team.

In April, Dunlop will take in the Le Mans 24-Hour round of the World Endurance Championship as part of Team LPR Poland on a BMW.

Image source, Pacemaker

Alastair Seeley, who has won a record 29 races at the North West 200, will return to the event this year after missing the 2024 meeting.

The Carrickfergus rider will ride BMW machinery for the SMS/Nicholl Oils team in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the event from 7-10 May.

The news was revealed at the official launch of the 2025 North West at BBC Sport NI's Blackstaff Studios on Tuesday night.

Seeley sat out last year's staging of the international road race after failing to find suitable competitive machinery.

"I'm really excited and happy to be back on the north coast in May," said Seeley.

"It's all down to the team. SMS/Nicholl Oils have given me the chance on my old BMW so let's see if we can hit the ground running and start where we left off."

As well as holding the all-time record for most wins over the Triangle circuit, he is also the most successful Superstock rider ever with 12 previous wins in the class, including doubles in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

The 45-year-old is a four-time Superbike race winner and also boasts 13 successes in the Supersport category.

The former British Superstock and Supersport champion holds the Superstock lap record for the 8.9-mile circuit at an average speed of 124.484mph, set in 2023.

Seven of his career victories to date at the North West have come on machinery supplied by German manufacturer BMW.

Seeley finished sixth in last year's British Supersport championship on a Yamaha while the SMS/Nicholl Oils outfit were fifth overall in the Superstock 1000cc standings on British short circuits with Eglinton rider David Allingham on board.

"I said I would only come back if I had competitive bikes and the guys have given me basically my old bike," added Seeley.

"Looking back over times and lap times, they haven't moved on very much so I feel like we'll still be competitive.

"I've got seven bites of the cherry to have a go at it and hopefully we can get one of them at least."