By Road Racing News 2025 awards week continues today with the Newcomer of The Year honour, gained by, drum roll, former National Superstock 1000 Championship front runner Franco Bourne.
I will be the first to admit, when the news broke earlier this year regarding the ex-works Honda rider’s switch to pure road racing, wow did not foresee this scenario.
Signing for the ultra-respected Cowton Racing team, the County Durham speedster debuted this year at Cookstown, the returning Tandragee 100 (P5 – Senior Support Race 1), Armoy Road Races (P6 – Supersport Race 1) and Oliver’s Mount.
North Yorkshire’s road racing nirvana (Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough) particularly has proven a happy hunting ground.
Three victories, ten top three finishes, the original start of the last ever Steve Henshaw titled Gold Cup race, saw him lead the first race start before technical gremlins struck.
Already signed up by Ian Lougher’s Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments outfit, his 2026 plans include Southern 100, Briggs Equipment Northwest 200 and TT Races debuts astride S1-R Paton, CBR 600RR/CBR 1000RR Honda machinery.
Boasting bucket loads of talent, we could well be potentially looking at one of international road racing’s leading forces within the near future.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
