NW200: Alastair Seeley extends record with treble

Alastair Seeley set a new Supersport lap record as he completed a double in the class at the Vauxhall International North West 200.

Seeley followed up his win in Thursday’s first race with another dominant performance on the EHA Racing Yamaha, claiming his 23rd victory at the event since 2008.

The 38-year-old was in a league of his own as he made a break for it on the fifth lap, quickly pulling a gap of 1.7 seconds over Lee Johnston (Padgett’s Honda).

He then smashed the lap record with a speed of 117.913mph on the sixth and last lap to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.

The Carrick man won by a comfortable 5.5 seconds from James Hillier (JG Speedfit Kawasaki), with Johnston completing the top three.

It was Seeley’s 12th win in the Supersport class as he once again underlined his pedigree around the 8.9-mile Triangle course.

“The plan today was similar to Thursday night where I settled in, in the early laps, assessed the pace and who was going to be challenging, then pulled the pin,” Seeley said.

“I’m delighted to increase my Supersport win record to 12. I love riding Supersport machinery and I was pretty excited to be getting to ride Yamaha’s new YZF-R6, and in EHA Racing trim we again proved today how good the package really is.”

Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Kawasaki) was fourth followed by Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda) and Martin Jessopp (Riders Motorcycles Triumph).

All-time record holder Seeley also won the Superstock race on Saturday to secure his 24th victory, turning the tables on Smiths BMW rider Peter Hickman.

He made his race-winning move on the brakes into the Juniper Hill chicane on a pulsating final lap.

Dean Harrison finished in third on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki as the top three were separated by only 1.5 seconds.

Michael Dunlop missed out on repeating his rostrum finish from Thursday’s race as he crossed the line just 0.2 seconds behind Harrison.

Seeley said: “I struggled a little to get the package perfected this year for the North West, but the boys worked hard to get me comfortable and we’ve yet again proved that when it all comes together, Alastair Seeley on a Tyco BMW is the strongest Superstock package at the event.

“I was aware that it would come down to the last chicane on the last lap, so on the laps before, I looked down the inside and outside to keep them all guessing; then on the last lap I made my mind up to use the outside line – a strategy that Philip Neill and I have discussed many times previously.

“It was a tough race, but a great way to finish the event and complete my 24th career win there. Thanks to Philip and Hector and the boys for a big effort. Hopefully I’ll be back next year for some more.”

The first six was completed by Gary Johnson (RAF Reserves Kawasaki and Tyco BMW rider Dan Kneen.