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Were almost there, Irish road racing 2025 style, unleashes into prominence this week, with the longest running national roads meeting, the Bear Competitions Cookstown 100.
Road Racing News pre-event previews series, begin by spotlighting the Supersport, Open, Grand Final races.
The Mullingar ace returns, former Duke Road Race Rankings Championship winner Derek McGee is back.
As previously reported, the over 55 times Irish road race victor has ex Ten Kate, R6 Yamaha tackle, previously piloted by Stefano Manzi, at his disposal.
Despite six years absence from Cookstown explorations, road racing insiders know his pedigree and it wouldn’t at all be a shock, if his national roads comeback begins with Supersport victory spoils.
Embroiled in captivating tussles for race wins with Dominic Herbertson in 2024, Skerries Michael Sweeney joins McGee as a prime, potential front-running candidate.
Sweeney’s C100 machines assemblage sees him aboard EM Building R6 Yamaha, MJR (Martin Jones Racing) BMW instruments.
Orritor Circuit returnee Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau BMW/PHR Performance Triumph) should also be firmly in the mix.
Others unquestionably capable of accruing excellent results include Julian Trummer (Lion Heart Moto Racing Kawasaki), Darryl Tweed (FAO Racing), the Isle of Wight’s top road racer Ryan Whitehall, Kevin Keyes (Daracore Racing), Neil Kernohan, Sam Johnson.
Further depth to the big bike, 600cc/next generation middleweight category fields is provided by the Chawke brothers James & Liam, Aaron Spence, Dean McMaster, Paul ‘Potchy’ Williams, Barry Furber.
Dean Campbell, Martin Morris, Stephen ‘Degsy’ Degnan, Andy Farrell, Graham McAleese (GMAC Racing).
The evergreen Paul Cranston, Michael Gahan and debutants, Manx Grand Prix winners Andrea Majola (Parker Transport Racing), Joe Yeardsley (Scott Racing).
Not long at all now till the Orritor Circuit is serenaded by Kawasaki’s, Honda’s, BMW’s, Yamaha’s, Suzuki’s, Triumph’s, Italian exotica.
Roll on Friday, Saturday 25th-26th of April, intriguing, close-fought tussles are pending.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson, Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
