By Without a doubt the in form rider in supersport 600 class going into the 2015 Ulster Grand Prix, is recently crowned Irish road race supersport champion William Dunlop.
The seven times UGP winner is confident that the Ivan Curran/CD Racing YZF R6 Yamaha, will pilot him to more success around Dundrod.
William has shown stellar, dominant, tremendous form this season in 600 races, recording victories at Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100, Kells, Walderstown, Skerries, Armoy.
Back to back supersport wins at the world’s fastest road race, would be the icing on the cake for the rider who last week celebrated his 30th birthday.
Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles line up is a formidable one, which consists of lap record holder around Dundrod Bruce Anstey and last year’s superstock race winner Dan Kneen.
Photo by Rod Neill
Both riders have showed strong form on the teams CBR 600 Honda’s in 2015, Bruce at TT 2015 finished runner up in both supersport races, following highly accomplished display’s from the ten times Ulster Grand Prix winner.
Southern 100 saw Dan Kneen showcase his proven pace in 600 class, as he sealed back to back third place finishes.
Another rider who’s pace is undoubted, is Mar Train Racing’s Dean Harrison.
Dean is one of the in form riders going into competition next week around Dundrod. In supersport races this season he’s secured top three finishes at Spring Cup National Road Races, Cookstown 100, Armoy Road Races.
Main highlights so far of this season on Mar Train Racing YZF R6 Yamaha, have been supersport race two success at Southern 100 which included setting new lap record, plus victory in opening 600 encounter at Cock Of The North Road Races.
Dean like multiple competitors is in contention for victories, as is 11 times TT winner Ian Hutchinson.
Ian’s victory in opening supersport race during TT 2015, was without a doubt one of the most memorable wins at TT Races for the last twenty years.
This remarkable achievement on Team Traction Control YZF R6 Yamaha, was backed up by supersport TT race two triumph.
As at TT 2015, Hutchy is for 600 races at Dundrod competing for Keith Flint’s Team Traction Control outfit.
Across all classes Ian will start amongst the firm favourites for victories, in particular in supersport class where his record on the roads is an exceptional one.
You can never discount Michael Dunlop from pushing for race victories, the six times Ulster Grand Prix winner looks set to compete on his own teams CBR 600 Honda.
Having recently achieved victories at Southern 100 and Armoy Road Races, the second fastest rider in TT history goes into third international meeting of the season with added confidence.
Despite having no race wins this season in supersport races, the pure road racing genius cannot be discounted from adding to his tally of 22 international road race wins.
Lee Johnston looks set to be leading 675 Daytona Triumph mounted competitor. General Lee has been in fine form this season on East Coast Racing Triumph, recording third place finishes in supersport races at the North West 200.
TT 2015 saw him record fourth and sixth place finishes, following top class performances from the three times international road race winner.
Dundrod is Lee’s personal favourite road racing circuit, with the ability, talent, pace, speed, high quality machinery, he’s very much in contention for golden results in supersport class.
Glenn Irwin made an eye catching Ulster Grand Prix debut in 2014, finishing an excellent fifth in Dundrod 150 super twins race.
For his second time competing at the world’s fastest road race, Glenn adds supersport action to his race schedule.
Piloting Gearlink ZX6R Kawasaki, he’s extremely confident that he can battle for 600 race victories.
Reigning Duke Road Race Rankings champion James Cowton, has the talent to cause many a surprise or two as he competes on his own teams CBR 600 Honda.
James dazzled on his Dundrod debut in 2014, finishing a superb fifth in opening supersport race.
Photo by Rod Neill
RC Express Racing’s Ivan Lintin, is regarded by many as leading super twins rider in pure road racing. In supersport 600 class Ivan has shown this season immensely strong form.
A proven international road race winner, Ivan has the race winning quality, to be in contention for standout results.
As does Silicone Engineering Racing’s Russ Mountford who produced a memorable performance in opening supersport race at Southern 100, finishing a fantastic second.
Added quality to the entry list is added by Keith Amor, Seamus Elliott supersport race 1 winner at Southern 100, Daley Mathison, Dan Cooper, Derek Sheils, Connor Behan, Thomas Maxwell, Paul Jordan, Davy Morgan, Darren Cooper.
Plus Sam Wilson, Logan Racing’s Neil Kernohan, Andy Farrell, Colin Stephenson and two time junior Manx Grand Prix winner Michael Sweeney.
Reigning Irish road race supersport champion Derek Mcgee, is tipped by many to secure world class results on his own teams R6 Yamaha.
2007 North West 200 winner Christian Elkin piloting Bob Wylie Racing 675 Daytona Triumph, could well prove to be one of the surprise packages in both supersport races.
Newcomers entered include Matthew Rees sixth place finisher in 2014 newcomers A Manx Grand Prix. Matthew is all set to compete on GT Superbikes/Phil Morris Racing backed ZX6R Kawasaki.
Jonathan Howarth who made an eye catching Southern 100 debut, is greatly looking forward to making his debut around Dundrod. For supersport races he competes on Danny Tomlinson Racing CBR 600 Honda.
Over the years we’ve seen thrilling racing a plenty with the 600’s at the Ulster Grand Prix.
Much more of the same is in prospect next week at Dundrod, as TT winners, international road racing stars, rising stars, up and coming road racers, all compete for supersport 600 success.
