Cookstown 100 Bikes!

Northern Ireland but for bicycle fans, the hibernation is finally

over. Welcome to Cookstown before the official start of a local

motorcycle race in Ireland and the traditional curtain raiser to the

biking year and perfect preparation for the first big international

meeting of the season, the Northwest 200. As always, it has attracted

many up-and-coming riders and a host of established stars, including

Northern's famous racing Dunlop Michael Dunlop. Not too bad, I lost

a bit of weight and feel good. I'm down to the same level as everybody

else now and I feel better for it. Three stones, maybe, nearly a can of

fuel, carrying extra with you. are with the factory team now.

Riding with Honda, which is great. Everyone is looking great. I'm just

so excited. William, give us your thoughts on the start of a local

road racing season. It's good to get back to this. It's a bit more

enjoyable, bit more fun, so I'm looking forward to the day now. It's

one of those things come you want to get back road racing. Yesterday was

not great. The weather was horrendous. If it stays dry, we will

have some good racing today hopefully. What bikes have you got

out here today? I have got a 125CC and a 250CC. No superbike with us,

but it will be good for Northwest. You are a factory rider but why, in

typical Dunlop family style, you like getting your hands dirty and

getting in amongst working on the bikes? That's the worst of it. The

thing is, it's a bike for William. That's the worst about it. He would

not do it for me. He will not give me a lift on a night out! How much

rivalry between you and the younger brother? It's the first run out for

both of us but come the north-west, it's exciting. Don't get me wrong,

when it's a big race, it can get personal. At the end of today, are

brothers. If I could do anything for him, I will do it and he will do the

same for me. But they may not have it all their own way. Here at

Cookstown is one of the biggest stars, and more importantly, he's

also the record-holder, the unique getting the road racing season

underway here in Northern Ireland today at Cookstown? I'm looking

forward to it. At Scarborough, we had a one-day meeting that was all

right. To come here, it's all right, proper road racing. I'm looking

forward to it. Will you win today? You can't be too confident but as it

middle of the front row for this, the first feature race of the day.

The open class, and he's surrounded by William Dunlop behind and Michael

Dunlop in pole position. Let's join COMMENTATOR: Glorious mother once

again in Northern Ireland. It's been a few years since we've had a wet

day at Cookstown 100. A few big names have stepped down but now

could be the time for Harrison and Shiels to join Martin and the Dunlop

brothers in the quest for honours. Watching the lights. And we are

away. The Suzuki almost caught napping there. But Derek Shiels flew

off the line along with Michael Dunlop. Guy Martin looking to make

up. Dunlop wriggled his way on the brakes. Shiels outbreaks him on the

turn and he leads. This is the second wave with Brian MacCormack on

bikes number one and Harrison on bike five. Fresh from the likes are

battling a Guy Martin at Scarborough last weekend. Martin passes David

Morgan. Shiels still leads. Dunlop. Pearson in third. Martin in fourth.

Dunlop in fifth, that's how they rope that role in that opening lap.

Martin charges up the hill into perfection. It is a time trial of

sorts, of course. Harrison could win this race at the laps faster than

any of this bunch. Shiels exits Craigmount. No sign of William

Dunlop on the 600. He may have pulled up somewhere. In the past, he

would take the bike out of the exit of the last term but not so wide

there. He is passing Derek Shiels, is he? Here we go. Michael Dunlop,

where did he come from? Now we get the breaking spot on this time. Now

they go into Gortin Corner. Here comes Dean Harrison. What will his

time be? He slots into fifth, three seconds down on first place. Michael

Dunlop on the Honda, his superbike and further ahead of Derek Shiels.

Harrison has a clear track ahead of him so he can potentially put in a

very fast lap, which could throw him into the mix at the top of the

leaderboard. This is the run to McAdoo bends. Here they come towards

the jump. Guy Martin will not like to see Dunlop pulling further away.

He needs to get past Pearson. Dean Harrison into Mackney, not as quick

as Dunlop through here. As he lands, he almost crosses up in his quest to

get past before he reaches the top of the hill. Lap two completed, its

Dunlop from Shiels. Martin in third with Pearson enforced. He's back at

Cookstown for the first time since 2010, Shiels. Now he's showing he's

getting a timing spot on. Really nice into Gortin Corner. He's on an

old Kawasaki on this. Getting to grips with this race track. He still

fifth, three second behind Michael Dunlop on corrected time. Guy Martin

not able to find his way past Shiels as they go through McAdoo bends. 65

is Sweeney. Then Anderson and Thompson testing is brakes just

ahead of Rob Barber. Riding with Shiels. Guy Martin may pull the same

trick as he did last time. Oh, and he has. Martin in second place and

now in pursuit of Michael Dunlop. Surely, though, Michael Dunlop has

too much of an advantage over Guy Martin at this stage of the race to

be concerned just yet? Here is Guy Martin going past Shiels. He

certainly comes top in the long jump and his reward is he is much

straighter and their bodies are much straighter as he readjust himself

back into the seat. Into Gortin Corner, they are on their brakes,

backing in slightly for Michael Pearson, sliding the back wheel into

the turner. It will take a superhuman effort from Guy Martin to

be lit in however there was plenty of time left. Dunlop had the better

Martin here last year. Thankfully, no controversial yellow flags to

deal with. Let's draw a line through that one, shall we? Sweeney, pulling

his break. Dunlop continues to pull away at the front. Much to the

delight of the locals here, he continues domain obtain a roughly

second lead in front of Martin. Pearson and Shiels in a battle of

third that they are somewhere off the pace Michael Dunlop. 67 Irish Rd

race wins to date and about to make it 68. Dunlop over the line takes

the last lap flag. Dean Harrison still in fifth place, his best time

is around three seconds of that of Michael Dunlop. Dunlop has increased

his lead, slightly over Guy Martin, the gap is now 2.5 seconds. Only

Michael Dunlop can beat him now, you feel. He is a rider who makes very

few, if any, mistakes. Around half a lap to go as Michael Dunlop passes

the rider from Czechoslovakia, Dokoupil. This is going to be a top

six finish. This will be a very popular victory and the Dunlop is

going to win at Cookstown yet again. The majority on the old circuit, he

has won. Michael has not one that many yet but is only 24 years of age

ID could beat all of them. We could be looking at the most successful

Dunlop at the around Cookstown. Guy Martin takes second place. He still

holds the lap record from two years ago. Just look at the reaction of

the crowd, revelling in the delight of a home win. Once he saw off

Shiels, there was no catching Michael Dunlop, who wins the first

big race of the day. Here are the line first and did not look back.

Yes, I was struggling a bit with the big bike. Especially around here,

it's quite competitive but the bike is working lovely. I did make a very

good start. Where did I end up, fifth or sixth going down there?

didn't know where the starting flag was? I thought the last one on the

side was where it was. I didn't see cruising to what would have been his

ninth victory at Cookstown. Until his bike expired on lap three. That

was that, as far as he was concerned. That left the way clear

for Paul Robinson to move into the number one position ahead of Sam

Wilson. Bruce Moulds would take third place. It was Robinson who

held top spot until the chequered flag. There was another member of

the Dunlop family of the leaderboard with Sam finishing in fifth place

behind Maria Costello. Paul, nice start to the season for you? Yeah.

It was good. This is our first race this year. I usually do Easter, I

thought the Cookstown would be our first this year for a change.

Everything went according to plan. Things hadn't gone to plan for

William Dunlop when his bike was pulled off the line. No joy for

Trevor Reid who crashed at Braeside. That brought out the red flags. It

meant a restart and a reprieve for Dunlop, who got his machine onto the

grid. It was a tentative start off the line for Dunlop as Sam Wilson

and Davy Morgan pulled away. He passed the pair of them on a machine

prepared for him by his brother Michael. Elliot was the leader in

the Moto450 class. The chequered flag it was William Dunlop who

crossed the line first, Wilson held off Morgan for second. A ninth

Cookstown career figure to leave him two shy of father Robert and concle

Joey in the all-time standings list. -- uncle. It could have looked

different if it had not been restarted. How fortunate were you to

get to start in that race? I had a wee problem. The bike has been lying

in the garage all winter. There was a couple of wee problems with it.

Thanks to the boys we got it sorted and got out for a wee run. The motto

450 race was a close affair. Elliot crossed the line ahead of McColgan

and Gilpin not far off in third in a fairly new class which should grow

in time. The extended Dunlop family have dominated the Cookstown 100 so

far. A win appease for the Dunlop brothers and one for their cousin

Paul. The super sports, William is a non-starter, Michael is in pole

position. Eight laps of this circuit. Michael Dunlop in pole,

Martin gets a cracking start. It could be a squeeze when they get to

the first turn. Jamie Hamilton, Rob Wilson. He is quick away. Guy

Martin. They are bunched up behind. They tip around the turn. It's very

tight. So far each rider behaving themselves. Nothing too rash as they

power up on the run to McAdoo. A bumpy line around this Orriotor

circuit. Michael Dunlop, he holds the lap record for this class which

Sweeney in second with Pearson third and Dunlop fourth. Dean Harrison

still sixth. How long will Dunlop be content with fourth especially p if

Martin is pulling away from the rest of the pack? This coo prove to be

the best race of the day. It has the makings of one. Martin out of

Craigmount. The gap is increasing. Dunlop looks to have lost a bike

length or two to Sweeney. Oh, that looks as if it was Michael Sweeney

who went wide at the Orriotor crossroads. Dunlop takes up that

position. There is 65 on the Yamaha. Everyone behind Guy Martin moves up

a position. Here is a replay from Derek Sheils bike. Hard to tell what

happened whether he missed his braking point marker. Guy Martin is

running away with this one. The gap has to be around three seconds. Rob

Wilson was the third at the end of lap one, he is in wave two. He is

yet to be factored in. Even so, Dunlop is stuck there in third

position on the road. Chilliest behind Dunlop who looks to have had

enough of following Pearson. Oh, what a move. No room for error.

Enough is enough, as far as Dunlop is concerned. He is up into second

on the road ahead of Pearson. Is Martin too far ahead? He has gone,

hasn't it? You would think so with five-and-a-half laps yet to go.

Derek Sheils in fourth. Wilson back to fifth on the timings. Guy Martin

into McAdoo. Being chased by a quick looking Michael Dunlop. He is trying

to catch the throatel at the exact moment at the exit of the turn. The

Irishman out of his seat momentarily. Harrison backed off in

anticipation there. Guy Martin out on his own. Dunlop appears to be

catching him. Is there enough time left in this race? On board with

Harrison, battling with chilliest and Wilson and Hamilton on the time

sheets. They are in the second wave. This looks like the moment when

chilliest looks to pick it up. Almost clips the backside. The gap

will catch and pass Guy Martin. Easier said than done though. Well,

Dunlop is certainly having a go. The fans sense it as well. He is offer

Sweeney as well. Unbelievable. He goes through. Can he stop in time?

The front end is waving around. He sits up. He was pushed past.

Amazing. It's all happening then. Michael Dunlop is still catching. We

are on for a grand stand finish. This is Dean Harrison going past

Michael Sweeney and Derek Shiels. This battle refuses to die down.

Sheils chasing Harrison. Oh, up the inside. He has got him, I think. Can

he turn in time? He can. What a move. Absolutely super move. Dunlop

is closing in. The gap is just seven tenths of a second. He took another

seven ten oaths out of Guy Martin on that one. If he continues like that

they will finish side by side. He is urged on by the fans. We ride with

Dean Harrison. Derek Sheils pulls out of the slip stream. Sheils backs

it in. Oh, Sheils will do well to stop that in time. Dean Harrison

slots up a pace. Michael Dunlop is catching Guy Martin. This is the

last lap remember. Dunlop is place. Surely, he will not try

there, is he? It's not going to happen now. They come across the

line. It's Guy Martin only by a whisker from Michael Dunlop. What a

finish. The gap was four seconds then 3. 5 then 2. 1 then 1. 5 as

Dean Harrison claims third. Over half a second going into the last

lap. Between Guy Martin and Michael Dunlop. It's victory for Guy Martin,

starting flag this time OK? I did, I saw it that time yeah. It made it

easier, didn't it? I got a the half decent start. We have been looking

at the war wounds. Michael had a bit of a go on the last lap. The man who

knows this circuit better than anyone is Ryan. He holds the record

number of wins here. An amazing 26. Ryan retired at the end of last

season. He is back as a team manager season. He is back as a team manager

with a healthy stable of riders. You don't believe in doing things in

small doses. You have a handful here. A full stable of machine?

bikes here, that is half the bikes throughout the course of the year we

will run 12. You know, I'm work working seven day as week, a lot of

hours every day, to get them prepared. A rider, you dominated

this event over the past few years. How much will you miss it today not

being out there? So far, it's not bothering me at all. Maybe as the

year goes on it will bug me. I have been here for many years and great

results at Cookstown. When I look back at it, I've no regrets. I told

Jamie and Brian and Connor, I have told them many times, it's the first

race of the year. There is a lot more racing to be done. All and all,

I just hope they take it steady and I just hope they take it steady and

they all get a good finish. A super twins race without Ryan. There will

be a new name on the race winner's on bike 65 and Hamilton on 44 who

were do youeling for honours. -- duelling. The At the front there was

still nothing to separate Sweeney and Hamilton. At times the racing

got very, sometimes a little too close for comfort. On the the

approach it was a classic slip stream ma he noefr from Hamilton as

he pulled out behind Sweeney and moving into the number one slot on

the track. Once he was through, he was away. By the time he crossed the

finish line he had built a comfortable position between himself

place. Sweeney settle settled into second behind a delighted Jamie

Hamilton. I can tell by that broad smile you are a happy man after that

win? Definitely, 100%. I can't remember the last time Ryan prepared

a bike to become a super twin that hasn't won a race. I'm glad I could

keep that up here today. I've struggled early on in the day. As

the day came on I got better and better. Nice to get a win. Time now

for the big race of the day. The Cookstown 100. A race which Ryan

made his own. He won it for the past five years. There will be a new name

on the trophy this year. It looks like it will be a shoot-out between

his way down the field. He looks to usurp a lot of them. Guy Martin,

second, Dunlop, fourth with Shiels, fifth. As they get to Gortin Corner,

it's a dream start. The second wave is underway including newcomer Dean

Harrison. Michael Sweeney struggling to keep the front wheel down. Into

McAdoo bends, Dunlop is third. He squeezes inside Pearson. They are

side-by-side. Shiels just behind Morgan. This is fifth chasing

fourth. What a start to this race. Now Mackney. Neither is giving the

other an inch of road. It is so tight through this, especially on

the big cc bikes. No overtaking but it has happened here at past. The

menacing figure of Michael Dunlop lurking just behind. Back to McAdoo

bends. Dokoupil had a massive crash on the second a few years ago if I

remember rightly as Shiels slips by Morgan. What a good lap it has been

for Pearson, second, and right behind Guy Martin. We will have to

wait and see. Here they go. They take it right to the Mackney. We

have to wait for the second wave to see how this race is turning out.

Pearson does not have the speed to slip by. Guy Martin on the back

wheel. Riding the Dunlop on the backstretch with Gortin Corner and

McAdoo bends. No overtaking. Shiels meanwhile closes writing on Dunlop

in the third and look at the red gate on the right-hand side. You can

see how much of a steep climate is underneath it. The camera position

makes the road look flatter than it is. Many people making the journey

across the Irish Sea, just like Guy Martin, leading. Arden man -- online

with the man, Harrison. He can't shake off the trio behind him. Don't

forget, we have to wait for Harrison to see where he's locked into the

scheme of things on the leaderboard. Michael Dunlop in third

place and no suggestion from so far of him making a move on the two men

ahead of him. It's all about the brakes and the best defensive line.

Michael Pearson says thank you very much. As the X it, and head towards

McAdoo bends. Into McAdoo bends. Dunlop is on a superstock bike along

with Derek Shiels. We are riding on the Honda on the way to Mackney.

Martin contentiously behind Pearson. So different on the opening lap when

they came into contact on Mackney. Pearson forcing himself through on

that occasion. Pearson slipped back to sixth. He lost a couple of

seconds on lap two. Here is a replay of Michael Pearson on the BMW in

full flight. Guy Martin, a little more conservative, and not so

spectacular. Three laps completed. Pearson leading Martin. Six tenths

of a second between first and fourth place. Dunlop making his move.

Coming out of slipstream, he holds off and brakes quite early. Pearson

backs the turner. He is going at it, speedway style into Gortin Corner

and what a race. Shiels has done well in the past but this weekend

has got to be the best performance so far. Here comes Guy Martin on the

inside of McAdoo bends. Pearson goes back inside and they go side-by-side

up the hill. Here they are, just ahead, Pearson with his nose in

front. Oh, Martin powered his way through and he has taken his lead.

What a move by Guy Martin on the Suzuki. He is back in front. Michael

Dunlop appears to be content with just sitting behind them. Shiels on

her shoulder and they're still more than half race to go. Time to get

our breath back as we look at Michael Pearson just ahead of

Michael Dunlop, a popular vantage point for the spectators, this. His

back wheel going as he hit the brakes. Guy Martin leads them out of

Craigmount, and downs to the crossroads. The gang of four across

the line. Guy Martin, not the fastest lap. The Kawasaki puts in

the fastest time, inside the Suzuki. Dunlop goes past Pearson for second.

Maybe not quite got the confidence in his brakes as he would like. I'd

tell you what though, he's got a new target ahead, Guy Martin, but if

anybody can catch him, it will be Michael Dunlop. Michael Pearson has

now got Derek Shiels breathing down his neck. On board with Dean

Harrison, who was now in seventh, having been passed by Brian

McCormac. Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop, and it is a new lap record

for Michael Dunlop as we look at Shiels take long Pearson. He has

taken two tenths of the record set two years ago. There's pair are

really squaring up to one another now. Dunlop using every millimetre

of track surface. We are back with the battle for third, Shiels closing

in and taking third from Pearson. We will have to wait until they come

at the halfway point in this race. Completing lap six, Guy Martin on

the Suzuki in first. Honda, second. A new lap record time, which has

just been set by Dunlop. Here they come across the line. The answer

is, no, although Dunlop took two tenths of a second out of the race

leader that time, and he goes for a stab at Martin but can he get him on

the brakes? I think no. Martin has the braking to perfection, or has

he? A stunning move by Dunlop. One of the best I've seen for the last

few years. How good was that? Got the timing absolutely perfect

Michael Dunlop believes, but what kind of response will be get from

Guy Martin? Time to catch breath! The road racing season is certainly

upon us, folks. Dean Harrison stumping is but a hard on the back

brake as he goes into Gortin Corner. He continues to pull away

from Guy Martin. This is the view from the race leader as he takes on

the Cookstown 100 circuit. Can he do this for a fourth time? One minute

22.64 as he heads into what will be tenths outside this time. Ryan

Farquar has won this race for the past five years and has now retired,

of course, and we could be looking at the new king of Cookstown. On

this form, Michael Dunlop could well be the main threat to the

short-circuit stars at this year's NW200, held host of top names from

superbikes this year. But it could be this young man who we ride with,

still only 24 years of age, that the racing world could be talking about,

in the middle of May. Making his way towards the first of the black

markers, and he makes his way past. Dunlop will be on a different bike

at the north-west. Once he's gone past Martin, there was no stopping

him from taking victory. And its victory for Michael Dunlop at the

winner. Nice fill growing collection. Yes, it's been awhile

since I have one around here, so I feel good. It's just great to win,

that's what I'm here to do. To break the lap record, you can't go wrong

with that. I had it for a bit and then Pearson got past me and then I

got in the lead again and then Michael got past us. I made a couple

of little mistakes. I couldn't get him back but he was riding well.

Fair play. But top step of the rostrum for Michael Dunlop for the

second time on the day at Cookstown, but it would not be the last. He

took his place on the grid for the restarted Supertwins res B. As

expected, he took no time in making its way to the front. -- race be.

And he looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself, as he threw his

Kawasaki around the circuit at high wins. His best lap time was outside

the best posted by Jamie Hamilton and Michael Sweeney in the earlier

Supertwins race but a win, nonetheless for Michael Dunlop.

big NW200 head for you? Yes, I got to sort this out, because my rear

end and my hands is bad, too. I need to get ready for the race. Michael

Dunlop looking good for the NW200, an event where you won't miss a

single thing here on BBC Northern Ireland. You can see the practice

sessions and the racing live on BBC sport website, plus live commentary

on BBC Ulster, and three special highlight programmes for you on BBC