By Peter Hickman and the TROOPER Triumph proved formidable in today’s opening Supersport encounter, as the now 11 times International road race winner, provided the large crowd at Dundrod with an absolute masterclass.
Never headed in the six lap race, with nearest pursuer through the opening laps Dean Harrison, pulling encountering problems on lap four, this left Hickman with a comfortable advantage over Padgetts duo Conor Cummins and Lee Johnston.
Keeping up a relentless, consistent, accomplished pace, Hickman ultimately emerged victorious by just under eight seconds.
Photo by Rod Neill
The battle for second was just won on the line by tenacious three times Ulster GP winner Johnston, as Padgetts team mate Cummins had to settle for third.
McAdoo Kawasaki’s Adam McLean wasn’t to far behind in fourth, whilst Michael Sweeney edged out Armoy Supersport victor Paul Jordan to acquire an excellent fifth place finish.
Dan Cooper banked seventh, Team ILR’s Joe Thompson was eighth closely followed by WH Racing’s Dominic Herbertson, just 0.091 of a second behind the York racer.
Wrapping up the first ten finishers was opening Ultra Lightweight race victor Christian Elkin, who just held off the attentions of Noel Williamson Racing’s Darren Cooper to finish tenth.
There was also impressive performances from leading newcomers Craig Neve, Tom Weeden, respectively chalking up very creditable 13th, 15th place finishes.
MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix: Whitemountain Centra Supersport race results, are as follows:
1 Peter Hickman
2 Lee Johnston
3 Conor Cummins
4 Adam McLean
5 Michael Sweeney
6 Paul Jordan
7 Dan Cooper
8 Joe Thompson
9 Dominic Herbertson
10 Christian Elkin
11 Darren Cooper
12 Brian McCormack
13 Craig Neve
14 Sam West
15 Tom Weeden
16 Jonathan Perry
17 Neil Kernohan
18 Kris Duncan
19 Xavier Denis
20 Forest Dunn
21 Josh Daley
22 Davy Morgan
23 Darryl Tweed
24 Mark Parrett
25 Mike Norbury
26 Dave Hewson
27 Patricia Fernandez
28 James Tadman
29 Michal Dokoupil
30 Ryan Gibson
31 Paul Cranston
32 Don Gilbert
33 David Murphy
34 Paul Mackey
35 Fabrice Faivre
Words by Stevie Rial
