By The opening supersport race at this years Vauxhall international North West 200 began in near on perfect conditions all round. Josh Brookes made a fast start to hit the front early on and from there for the first two laps the fastest TT newcomer in history lead the way with Michael Rutter, Gary Johnson, William Dunlop, Guy Martin and Dean Harrison all close behind.
By lap three the lead out front was changing all the time and Gary Johnson took the lead on the Smiths Triumph with team mate Michael Rutter not far behind and Josh Brookes close near the front as well on Milwaukee Yamaha supersport bike. Guy Martin and William Dunlop where showing good pace as was Dean Harrison on the Mar Train racing R6 Yamaha.
By lap four the leading pack where still all in close proximity but having being involved in an incident on the opening lap of the race Alastair Seeley was on a charge and was now into seventh place. Soon Seeley was reeling Brookes, Johnson, Rutter, Martin and Dunlop in and the fight for race victory was producing some of the best racing seen at the North West 200 in years.
Lap five saw Gary Johnson back in front with Guy Martin in hot pursuit of his first North West 200 victory near by in second place, Josh Brookes and Michael Rutter where also in reach of hitting the front but problems struck Rutter’s Smiths Triumph and the thirteen time North West 200 dropped out of contention for race victory.
Onto the final lap of the race and drama struck as Alastair Seeley took the lead of the race for the first time. But more drama was to come as Brookes overcooked it on the brakes and sped into Gary Johnson meaning both now where theoretically out of contention for race victory.
The battle for race victory was now between Alastair Seeley and Guy Martin. Both riders where giving it everything for supersport race victory but it was the wee wizard on the Mar Train racing R6 Yamaha who made a crucial break on the final lap of the race.
At the line Alastair Seeley won the opening race at this years Vauxhall international North West 200 by 1.1 seconds over Guy Martin in second place who has got his international road racing season of to a fantastic start. Josh Brookes recorded his first North West 200 podium finish with third place in front of William Dunlop who recorded a solid fourth place.
Keith Amor produced a battling performance to finish in fifth place on Site Sealants B&W racing CBR 600 Honda, Michael Rutter despite problems on the Smiths Triumph was sixth in front of team mate Gary Johnson. Bruce Anstey finished eighth on Valvoline racing Padgetts motorcycles CBR 600 Honda, Dan Cooper was a highly creditable ninth Tsingtao racing ZX6 Kawasaki and James Hillier rounded out the top ten.
James Cowton produced a impressive performance to finish in 11th place, Connor Behan was leading newcomer home in 17th place in a exciting race which saw up to five different race leaders throughout.
