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Michael Dunlop Delivers Double Delight for Home Crowd at the NW200

Thursday night at the Briggs Equipment North West 200 belonged to Michael Dunlop, as the Ballymoney man gave fans a performance to remember by securing two victories—his first wins at Portrush since 2016.

Victory on the Ducati in Supersport Showdown

Dunlop’s evening began in fine style with a win in the Fraser Homes Supersport Race, piloting the Milwaukee V2 Ducati to a thrilling victory. The triumph didn’t come easy. He crossed the line just 0.378 seconds ahead of Richard Cooper (Russell Racing/BPE Yamaha), with Davey Todd (Milenco Padgett’s Honda) hot on their heels, only 0.121 seconds further back.

“It’s nice to win in Northern Ireland again at international level!” Dunlop grinned after the race. “I knew I could win here again and the local fans are fantastic, so I really enjoyed it.”

Earlier in the day, Dunlop had crashed his Ducati at the Magherabouy chicane during qualifying, but he showed no signs of hesitation when it mattered. Despite ongoing setup issues, he was determined to put himself in the right place at the right time.

“We struggled a bit with the bike at the beginning of the week and there’s still more to come,” he admitted. “But having been on the wrong end of things before, I pulled my finger out to make sure I was ready this time around.”

Even Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, made her first visit to the north coast event and joined Dunlop on the Supersport podium—a significant moment both politically and culturally for the event.

Slipstream Strategy Seals the Win

“The slipstream here means you can pull people back with a couple of good sectors,” Dunlop explained post-race. “I was strong in the second half, which I needed to be—Davey and Richard are top riders on strong bikes.”

Cooper, last year’s winner of the same race, reflected on the tight contest:
“I felt I had to lead the whole time to manage the race. I heard the Ducati coming and wasn’t ready for how fast it was when it passed me at Magherabouy—it felt like a Superbike! Still, the Yamaha was fantastic. Whether it’s first, second, or third, I always give everything.”

He added a heartfelt tribute:
“I wanted to win it for the lads we lost at Oulton last weekend. I worked with Shane, and it’s a tough time for Hannah and the family. As racers, we sometimes push grief aside, but it’s always there.”

Todd Settles for Third, Eyes Saturday Redemption

A disappointed Davey Todd summed up his race:
“Third’s not what I wanted after fighting at the front most of the way. When that Ducati came past, I couldn’t even stay in the slipstream. Still, the Padgett’s Honda was superb. We’ll try again on Saturday.”

Dunlop’s Night Gets Better with Superstock Win

Dunlop wasn’t done. He returned to the top step of the podium in the Amici Ristorante Superstock race, claiming his second win of the night—this time aboard his MD Racing BMW. He beat Dean Harrison by 2.659 seconds, with Ian Hutchinson rounding out the podium for MLAV Racing BMW, 5.815 seconds adrift.

“I rode hard for that one and I think I deserved the win,” Dunlop said. “I could see Davey getting away early on, and I’m delighted to pull it back. We had a setback with the spill this morning and some issues with the Superbike, which the boys in Germany are working on, but tonight’s result takes a bit of the weight off my shoulders. It’s been a long time coming.”

Harrison Happy with Podium After Rough Start

Harrison, chasing his first NW200 win, had to fight from eighth place after a poor start.

“Peter overshot Magherabouy, and Davey ran wide at University—that helped me claw back. I missed half a practice session and had shifting issues, but I managed to battle through. I had nothing left by the end,” he admitted.

Hutchy Returns to Podium After Seven Years

For Ian Hutchinson, the result marked a significant personal achievement—his first NW200 podium since 2017.

“Michael Laverty called me in November about this new project, and it’s come together in just four weeks. I’ve had a nightmare few years, but I never stopped believing. Hopefully, my daughter is watching back home—daddy can still ride!”

Todd Breaks Through in Superbike Thriller

Earlier in the evening, Dunlop had to settle for fourth in the Milwaukee Superbike race, as Davey Todd took his first NW200 win in the premier class. Todd led home Dean Harrison by just 0.215 seconds, with Peter Hickman a further 1.424 seconds back in third.

“A Superbike win has been eluding me, so this feels really special—especially with Pete on the podium too,” Todd said. “The team was put together in just eight weeks, so massive credit to the crew and sponsors. A 1-3 finish is a dream start.”

Despite struggling with his starts earlier in the week, Todd nailed it when it counted.
“I wanted to lead from the front, set a solid pace, and keep something in the tank if I needed it late in the race. This one’s for the whole team.”

Hickman’s Mistake Costs Late Challenge

Hickman made a rare error on lap one at York Corner, running wide and losing ground.

“I wasn’t too bothered, to be honest. I was comfortable, but Dean caught up with Davey quicker than I could. I reeled them in by the last lap but lost the rear at Church. Still, a 1-3 finish is great for the team, especially first time out.”

Harrison Grabs Another Runner-Up Spot

Harrison explained how a series of small issues prevented a stronger result:

“Peter’s off-line moment pulled me wide, and I struggled to catch Davey after that. When I finally broke the slipstream, I was getting buffeted all over the place. I also lacked drive out of Black Hill and went deep into Juniper. Still, I’m happy with second.”

A Moment of Silence Before Racing Began

Before the opening Superbike race kicked off, all competitors paused to observe a minute’s silence in honor of VE Day—a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before.

Summary: Michael Dunlop’s double win, Todd’s emotional Superbike breakthrough, and a night full of drama, resilience, and high-speed heroics marked an unforgettable Thursday at the 2025 NW200. With more racing to come on Saturday, fans and riders alike are already bracing for another chapter in this year’s incredible road racing season.