By Twenty minutes behind schedule, the Maxwell Freight Services Super Twins race, opened today’s NW200 racing spectacle.
Richard Cooper (Jack Reid Cars/KMR Kawasaki) sat on pole position, joined on the front row by Adam McLean (Flitwick Motorcycles/SMV – Yamaha) and Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing – Aprilia).
Row two comprised of Peter Hickman (Swan Racing Yamaha), Jeremy McWilliams (JMcC Racing – Aprilia) and Michael Sweeney (MSR Racing – Aprilia).
Course conditions all-round, taking out the equation, increasing winds, were prominently above average for the 30 plus competitors taking part.
Attaining the hole shot, leading through Millbank Avenue, York Corner was qualifying winner, Cooper.
Cooper continued to lead across the Mill Road Roundabout, Station Corner, Magherabuoy Chicane sections, keenly followed by 2024 IRRC Supersport Championship runner-up McLean.
By the time lap two arose, McLean was the new race leader, opening a 0.831 of a second advantage. 2024 class victor x2 Hickman, the evergreen McWilliams weren’t far behind, as only 1.138 seconds covered the leading group.
Cooper regained P1 ownership by Mather’s Chicane on lap two, which he maintained to the lap’s conclusion. McWilliams moved to third with Hickman retiring to the pits.
Throughout lap three, the slip stream effect was hugely prominent as Cooper and McLean traded race leadership reigns.
With one lap to go, McLean had the P1 initiative by 0.244 over Cooper whilst McWilliams in third, had pretty much dropped out of race winning contention.
McLean and Cooper, continued to be evenly matched as we entered the prime zone of the fourth, last lap. At Mather’s McLean led but on the approach to Church Corner, Cooper uncorked P1.
The diminutive rider, using all-of his experience, tenacious race craft, victory aspirations would not be curtailed from here, as he made it six NW200 race glories.
McWilliams consolidated third behind McLean (final finishing gap to Cooper – 0.280) whilst a stirring dice for fourth, was topped by Michael Sweeney. Barry Furber, TH Racing’s AJ Venter wrapped up the top six finishers.
Just as the race finalised, red flags unfortunately popped up around the Triangle course.
Maxwell Freight Services Super Twins Race Result:
1st – Richard Cooper
2nd – Adam McLean
3rd – Jeremy McWilliams
4th – Michael Sweeney
5th – Barry Furber
6th – AJ Venter
7th – Michael Rutter
8th – Christian Elkin
9th – Darryl Tweed
10th – Maurizio Bottalico
11th – Jonathan Goetschy
12th – Kris Duncan
13th – Dan Ingham
14th – Mauro Poncini
15th – Darragh Crean
16th – Dean McMaster
17th – Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams
18th – Martin Morris
19th – Michael Allen
20th – Paul Cassidy
21st – Andy Hornby
22nd – Andrew Herd
23rd – Richard Kay
24th – Oliver Dean
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
