Under a flawless blue sky, tens of thousands of race fans descended on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast for a spectacular day of road racing on Saturday, marking the climax of the 2025 Briggs Equipment North West 200. With six intense races held across the famous 8.9-mile Triangle circuit, the day delivered a heady mix of fierce competition, controversy, and emotional victories.
Cooper Clinches Supertwin Opener After Nail-Biting Battle
The day opened with the Supertwin class, where Richard Cooper claimed the first win of the day on the Jack Reid Cars/KMR Kawasaki, holding off Adam McLean by just 0.280 seconds. Jeremy McWilliams, a veteran of the roads, finished third, over eight seconds adrift on the JMcC Racing Aprilia.
Cooper, who had already taken a win in Thursday’s Supertwin race, was pleased to continue his momentum.
“It’s great to get the first one out of the way—this is what people come here for,” said Cooper. “I had a moment on lap one when I went wide at the chicane and had to take to the grass. After that, Adam and I had a great battle. I knew he was strong in the final sector, so I needed to stay ahead. I defended into Juniper, and thankfully, it paid off.”
McLean, who led the pack through the start-finish area on two of the four laps, admitted his tactics might have let him down.
“I showed my hand a bit too early,” he admitted. “Richard’s in great form. I tried to control the race from the front, but he rode a clever race.”
McWilliams, now 61, was upbeat despite a third-place finish.
“I made a poor start and chose the wrong gearing, which didn’t help. But I’m happy with third—this is a new bike and there’s more to come,” he said.
A red flag was brought out following a crash at Quarry Hill after the chequered flag, prompting a delay before the next race.
Controversy Erupts in Superbike Thriller as Dunlop Takes Debated Win
The six-lap Briggs Equipment Superbike race became the talking point of the day after Michael Dunlop was awarded victory amid confusion and frustration from his rivals. Dunlop, riding the MD Hawk Racing BMW, edged out Davey Todd and Peter Hickman of 8Ten Racing BMW, but it wasn’t without incident.
Early in the race, Dunlop and Hickman overshot the entrance to Mather’s chicane. While Hickman pulled into the stop box, Dunlop continued on. Though initially handed a ten-second penalty, that decision was later revoked.
Despite the dispute, Dunlop had clawed back the time gap to Todd and posted the fastest lap of the race at 125.539mph, ultimately taking the win by 1.984 seconds.
“It was a good ride, but others are making noise,” Dunlop said. “I didn’t think diving across the road to make the stop box was safe. I didn’t gain time. I caught and passed the leaders, fair and square. It’s great to win a Superbike race at home again.”
Todd wasn’t convinced.
“As far as I’m concerned, I won that race. But this is his patch, isn’t it?” said Todd, who also noted mechanical gremlins with his M1000RR.
Hickman declined to stand on the podium.
“The rule is simple. You miss the chicane, you stop in the stop box or get a penalty,” he said. “I stopped. Michael didn’t. That should be that. He’s riding well, and he’s on a full-factory BMW like Toprak’s, so credit to him. But rules are rules.”
Supersport Race Sees Cooper Snatch Another Win in Final-Lap Thriller
The Tides Restaurant Supersport race, initially set for four laps, was red-flagged halfway through due to an incident at Church Corner. Following a delay caused by a separate medical emergency, the race resumed—and ended in dramatic style.
Richard Cooper edged out Dean Harrison by just 0.140 seconds, with Michael Dunlop finishing third. It was a high-stakes dash through Juniper chicane that sealed Cooper’s victory.
“I told myself, ‘I’m taking this one,’” said Cooper, who had lost to Dunlop in the Thursday race. “There was no way I was letting this go. We’re racing against the best road riders in the world—and I’m a part-timer! Winning on the 600 feels amazing.”
Harrison echoed the excitement of the close battle.
“I knew it would be tough,” he said. “Michael and I had a moment at Metropole on the last lap, and I tried to pass Richard at the final chicane. The front end protested—I knew if I braked harder, we’d all crash. That’s racing.”
Dunlop, who was just 0.294 seconds behind Cooper, felt frustrated.
“People complained about my Ducati on Thursday, but clearly all the bikes are close. They gained time at the final chicane going straight on—I lost time when I did it earlier. So, it is what it is. It was always going to come down to Juniper.”
Jeremy McWilliams escaped injury in a crash at Mill Road. Todd, Hickman, and Alastair Seeley rounded out the top six.
Todd Triumphs in Superstock Scrap with Teammate Hickman and Harrison
The CP Hire Superstock race produced another close finish, as Davey Todd took the win by 0.586 seconds ahead of Dean Harrison, with Peter Hickman in third.
“I needed that one,” said Todd. “After the Superbike drama, I was fired up. We’ve been chasing set-ups, trying things constantly, and the team have been brilliant. The Honda’s got serious top speed—it nearly stripped the stickers off!”
Hickman, who set the fastest lap of the race at 124.236mph, was satisfied with the result.
“I was into second at one point, but I braked too early and ran wide. Still, it’s great to be on the podium again, and the bike’s working so well—it’s looking good for the TT.”
Harrison, still chasing a maiden NW200 win, found the going tough.
“I was just trying to hang in there,” he said. “It was hard to keep Pete behind me, but the Honda’s power helped. That race took it out of me, but I’m loving it.”
Alastair Seeley took fourth ahead of Ian Hutchinson and Paul Jordan.
Drama at Juniper Hands Jordan Maiden NW200 Victory
In the JM Paterson Supertwin race, Richard Cooper and Adam McLean resumed their battle—until both riders crashed at Juniper chicane on lap three. That left Paul Jordan to cruise home to his first ever NW200 win on the Jackson Racing by Prosper2 Aprilia, finishing 9.818 seconds ahead of Michael Sweeney. Barry Furber claimed third.
“I’m stunned,” said an emotional Jordan. “We had a rough week, and I was struggling to stay with Richard and Adam. I hope they’re okay, but I’ll take the win. It means everything. I can’t believe I’m now an international race winner.”
Sweeney, who had a heavy crash at the event in 2023, was overwhelmed.
“This is a dream come true,” he said. “We built the bike ourselves. Seeing the fans waving on the last lap—it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Allan Venter, Darryl Tweed, and Jonathan Goetschy rounded out the top six.
Todd Seals Feature Superbike Win as Red Flag Ends Epic Duel
The final race of the day—the Merrow Hotel and Spa Superbike event—closed the curtain on an electrifying week. Peter Hickman retired on the opening lap, while Michael Dunlop dropped out on lap four at Mather’s chicane after posting the fastest lap at 125.480mph.
That left Davey Todd and Dean Harrison locked in a battle for the win, with Alastair Seeley close behind. The race was red-flagged on lap five after a crash at Quarry Hill. The rider involved was treated on-site before being airlifted to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
As the leading group had completed more than two-thirds race distance, Todd was declared the winner—his second Superbike win of the week—by just 0.398 seconds over Harrison.
“I’ve been chasing this one for years,” said Todd. “After the earlier Superbike mess, I was angry—I don’t usually get angry. But I needed to win this one. Dean kept me honest and hats off to him. The fans were amazing. What a week.”
Harrison settled for another second place, while Seeley marked his NW200 return with a podium. Ian Hutchinson, Josh Brookes, and John McGuinness completed the top six.
The race also marked a milestone for Michael Rutter, who made his 100th start at the event where he debuted back in 1992.
