By Josh Brookes got a great start on Milwaukee Yamaha superbike to lead the opening lap of feature superbike race at this years Vauxhall international North West 200. Alastair Seeley moved into second place on opening lap of the race as Michael Rutter and Michael Dunlop where not far behind in third and fourth place positions.
On lap two Brookes lead out front was a reasonable one as Seeley and Dunlop battled over second place. Positions out front remained pretty much unchanged on lap three, but on lap four Michael Dunlop having broke the lap record on the previous lap got the hammer down in his pursuit of race victory.
Soon Dunlop was in front as Josh Brookes made a slight mistake which allowed the factory BMW rider to take the lead of the race for the first time. From here Michael Dunlop rode a calm and consistent race to record his first superbike race win at North West 200.
Picture courtesy of Rod Neill
On the final lap of the race Josh Brookes broke the lap record but still had to settle for second place. Still a top ride from Josh competing in only his second North West 200. Alastair Seeley gritted his teeth to finish in third place to round off a good 2014 North West 200 for the wee wizard and Mar Train racing.
Michael Rutter was a clear fourth place to finish a consistent North West 200 for the evergreen Bathams BMW rider. Guy Martin finished in a solid fifth place for Tyco Suzuki by TAS whilst Conor Cummins completed the top six to round off a good road race meeting of the year with Honda racing.
Martin Jessopp acquired seventh place in front of Dean Harrison who finished off his 2014 North West 200 in good fashion to head into TT 2014 confident that the RC Express racing ZX10 Kawasaki superbike has great potential. James Hillier finished in 9th place for Quattro Plant Muc off Kawasaki and Gary Johnson from the second wave of riders was tenth.
Overall a fantastic 2014 Vauxhall international North West 200, one that has seen debut North West 200 wins for Lee Johnston, wins for Alastair Seeley and Bruce Anstey, a debut international road race superbike victory for William Dunlop and feature superbike race win for Michael Dunlop.
