By Reigning Macau Grand Prix winner Peter Hickman is confident of been in prime contention for superbike victories, at the upcoming MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix.
Competing on the JG Speedfit ZX10R Kawasaki that he took to fourth in the RST Superbike TT, along the way lapping at 132.465 mph, he has the proven pedigree, international roads winning craft to seal at least in my opinion one big bike win at Dundrod.
Photo by Louis Porter
Alongside his superbike mount, the combination of Hicky and the superstock JG Speedfit ZX10R Kawasaki will prove a hard package to beat, plus don’t discount him from sealing podium finishes in the supersport encounters on the Trooper backed ZX6R Kawasaki.
Looking ahead to his third year of Ulster GP action, Peter said:
“I’ve done a lot more riding than most of the guys thanks to the MCE British Superbikes which has been going really well. My first road race over at the North West was really good, and I’m looking forward now to getting back on the bike at the Ulster Grand Prix where I had my first international road race win.
It might give me a bit of an advantage to keep riding and keep bike fit, but the two disciplines are very different so I do have some difficulty trying to transfer between the two. Maybe from the outside it doesn’t look like I have any but it is actually quite difficult.
The Kawasaki’s have a proven pedigree against riders like Hutchy and Michael Dunlop and I’m really confident that they will suit the roads at Dundrod.
The bikes handle really well and I’m getting some great power out of them so I’m fairly confident that the package I’ve got underneath me will put us on the podium for definite.
This will only be my third year at the Ulster so I’ll still take my time even though I’ve actually won there already.
It’s a really unique place; it’s the fastest road race in the world and I actually did over 133 mph last year on the Superstock bike, which was pretty special. The roads around the Dundrod circuit just flow so, so well, making the riding so enjoyable and thrilling, I can’t wait to get back.
No matter where I am I always try to better myself and push myself. Every circuit I go to is a new challenge for me and even if I know the circuit then I want to try to better myself from the year before, I never get bored.”
Ulster Grand Prix Clerk of the Course, Noel Johnston added his thoughts on the rider, who has proved an absolute sensation on the roads, since making his pure road racing debut at the North West 200 in 2014.
“Peter Hickman is an awesome rider who has made a big impact in a short time and I’m pretty excited to see what he has in his locker come Saturday 13th August.
I think he’ll be in the mix for the Superpole qualifier for sure, pretty impressive given it’s only his third outing at Dundrod. Hicky’s just a natural on two wheels and I think there’s a lot more success to come from him.”
Words by Stevie Rial
