By Every year pure road racing wise, has a consistent theme, for instance 2016 provided the TT, North West 200 and Ulster GP big bike battles between Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson.
Whilst this year has seen the rise of young road racers such as Adam McLean, Joe Thompson, Joe Loughlin, Brad Vicars, Darryl Tweed, Michael Evans, Jamie Williams and Davey Todd.
So what will the theme of 2018 be? in my opinion looking towards the international meets, I am tipping Peter Hickman to win the blue riband Superbike and Senior races at TT 2018, and also claim another hat trick of victories at the MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Dean Harrison chalk up a second TT victory and Martin Jessopp become a first time Mountain Course winner in the Lightweight class.
Added predictions internationals wise include Alastair Seeley adding more Supersport success to his already truly golden North West 200 CV, plus Glenn Irwin retaining the feature Superbike crown aboard the Be Wiser Ducati.
Looking towards the Irish nationals scene, I predict Derek Sheils and Adam McLean to become Superbike and Supersport championship winners, plus Derek McGee to win back to back Super Twin championships.
IRRC wise, it’s hard to look past Sebastien Le Grelle making it three IRRC Superbike titles, whilst for the Supersport category I am tipping rising French star Pierre Yves Bian to hold off the likes of Thomas Walther, Ilja Caljouw and Christian Schmitz to claim championship glory.
I must end this article by wishing a special thank you to all the great photographers who taken pics for Road Racing News throughout 2017, Steve Rial, Rod Neill, Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler, Jim Gibson, Tommy Vennard and Robby Repsol.
Additionally I must also thank the marshals, organisers, volunteers and event sponsors, who keep the truly magnificent sport of pure road racing, going.
Words by Stevie Rial
