This weekend’s Walderstown Road Races, has an entry list brimming with quality.
Riders set to battle for victories include international road race winners, rising stars, up and coming stars and front running Irish road race championship competitors.
Superbike:
All eyes will be on Michael Dunlop on his own teams S1000RR BMW, as he bids to maintain his 2016 record of winning at least one race, at every roads meeting in which he has competed at.
Having dazzled at Skerries, the 13 times TT winner goes into Walderstown, in my opinion a strong favourite for open and grand final victories.
The last time Michael was victorious in the grand final at Walderstown, was back in 2012.
Photo by Rod Neill
Amongst the leading challengers to the TT Races lap record holder, include Irish road race superbike championship leader Derek Sheils.
Piloting the Cookstown BE Racing GSX-R 1000 Suzuki, Derek is amongst the most in form riders on the roads.
He’s a definite contender for grand final success as is William Dunlop on his own teams YZF R1M Yamaha backed by Caffrey International.
A regular collector of world class results at Walderstown, the meeting that first began in 1973 is a huge favourite of William’s.
Will he make it back to back grand final victories, at the weekend? It’s going to be tough, but we know the determination and talent that the 2015 Duke Road Race Rankings champion has.
Added potential front runners include two time junior Manx Grand Prix winner Michael Sweeney, Noel Williamson Racing’s S1000RR BMW mounted Derek McGee and Seamus Elliott.
B&W Racing’s Paul Jordan, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan and Walderstown newcomer Michal Dokoupil, are all capable of springing a surprise or two.
Same notion applies to the vastly experienced John Walsh and Thomas Maxwell, set to make his Mountain Course debut at the 2016 Manx Grand Prix.
Supersport:
There’s no doubt, that for many and in my opinion the pre race favourite for the feature supersport race, will be William Dunlop.
Winner of the 600 encounters at Tandragee, Cookstown, Post TT Races and Skerries, he’s at one with his own teams YZF R6 Yamaha.
Derek McGee on the NJ Doyne backed YZF R6 Yamaha, could well be the biggest threat to stopping his illustrious counter parts dominance of the supersport class.
Plus you can never ever discount the pure road racing genius that is Michael Dunlop.
Add in Michael Sweeney, rising star Paul Jordan and Seamus Elliott, and you’ve got an enthralling, gripping supersport race in prospect.
Super Twins:
Skerries super twins winner Michael Sweeney, starts amongst the pre race favourites for super twin honours at Walderstown.
A proven pace setter across all classes Michael and the Kielty Heating Ltd backed ER6 Kawasaki, will prove hard to beat.
B&W Racing’s Paul Jordan, aiming to make his TT Races debut next year, is in my opinion amongst pure road racing’s most improved competitors over the last couple of years.
Don’t at all be surprised to see Paul the dominance 650 force at the weekend, same notion applies to Walderstown newcomer Michal Dokoupil.
Dark horses for victory include Adam McLean Rod Lee Racing ER6 Kawasaki and Andy Farrell on the Ollies Bar backed Kawasaki.
Round Up:
There are ten races scheduled for the 2016 Walderstown Road Races.
Photo by Rod Neill
Close fought junior support, classic and senior support races are in prospect, plus expect an exciting 400 race as the likes of Seamus Elliott, Michal Dokoupil and Darryl Tweed do battle for victory.
It’s fair to say though that this weekend’s meeting, has been given a touch of superstar quality to it, with Michael Dunlop’s entry.
Photo by Rod Neill
Will the 13 times TT winner prove the dominant rider at Walderstown? Multiple riders firmly believe they can beat the first rider to lap the Mountain Course under seventeen minutes.
Great races a plenty are guaranteed, roll on Walderstown!
Words by Stevie Rial