By For roads scene superfans, all involved in the world’s most exciting form of motorsport, attentions were-fixated tonight, upon the live BBC Sport Northern Ireland streamed 2026 Briggs Equipment Northwest 200 launch.
Fifteen racers took to the stage in Belfast issuing succinct, candid, humorous comments, letting slip select information about team, sponsorship, machine plans.
The most intriguing news made public, included:
• Thirty-four times record NW200 race winner Alastair Seeley, confirming next generation 3B Construction sponsored Ducati Supersport tackle, thanks to former Classic TT rostrum finishers Binch Racing.
• European hill-climbing great Maurizio Bottalico will compete again for Phil Crowe’s Crowe Performance team.
• Christian Elkin is to race this May; new Super Twins metal.
• Glenn Irwin could not speak high enough about his 2026 SBK berth and heaped praise on NW200 newcomer Storm Stacey.
• Graham McAleese’s YZF R6 Yamaha, will benefit from Michael Dunlop MBE’s expertise.
• Richard Cooper’s Supersport (now featuring technical tweaks – next gen rules electronics), Super Twin mounts continue to be via Russell Racing and KMR Kawasaki.
• Peter Hickman stated that pre-event preparations for the 8TEN Racing team are, much better compared to last year.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
