North West 200 Preview Bikes!

The north coast is renowned for stunning scenery, and famous

landmarks, but it's also home for one of Northern Ireland's most

special and spectacular sporting events, the can International North

West 200. The this rank will part of the world comes alive to the sound

of motorcycle engines. Over the next few days we have every angle of this

event covered on the BBC. Here's what is coming up on tonight's show.

Michael Dunlop gets North West 200 training with the help of the Ulster

Rugby Team. Ryan's return, why Northern Ireland's most successful

rider is making a comeback. We catch up with Guy Martin. With highlights

of the first three thrilling races. The North West attracts teams and

riders from every corner of the globe. The best motorcycle road

racers are here to compete on one of the fastest and spectacular circuit

in the world. Here are some of the men to look out for. Ten-times North

West winner, quick in practice, Alastair Seeley. Go William Dunlop

is a quiet one. Mark Brooks did well in practice as well. Michael Rutter

still hungry for wins. And The Boss, John McGuinness. Lee Johnston, on

good machinery this year. Tomorrow is the main race day here,

but it's not the only big sporting event happening because Ulster play

their crunch Pro-12 play off against Leinster in Dublin. Fans will be

able to watch the game on the big screens around the circuit. One

rider has been following Ulster's preparations carefully. Michael

Dunlop, who is recovering from an early season crash in England,

popped along this week to watch the Ulster team train.

COMMENTATOR: What a score! Oh, Michael Dunlop!

A broken arm. Michael Dunlop, wins the Supersport 600. Good to see you.

Keeping all right? How are you All right. I broke that arm, done all

the nerves around the top of my arm. I'm fighting to get back into

fitness. I don't feel too bad at the minute. I can move it, it's painful.

At the end of the race I could feel my arm, I thought - forget that.

Injury is grand if you leave it. You can't leave it, do you know what I

mean? 200mph down here. Four or five of us

touching together doing 170mph. If you go round the corners I would go

the opposite way. Trying to keep balance. The boys can't get over the

speed. They think the speed is fantastic. I would rather head to

the link road than one of those men banging into the back of me. That is

one thing I wouldn't like to be doing. Their sport is as risky as

ours. You can see the training they are putting in there. They are all

big lads. It's unreal, like. I thought you went to your local gym

and did your own thing. We have a fantastic gym, fantastic facilities.

Great stadium. They have the whole package here. A lot of work in here.

Do you train all day? Yeah. Well... Some boys more so than others, you

know. We are chit-chatting, training, the pressures of it and

going away and being at home, stuff like that there. Yeah, it's funny

how the two sports near enough link together. What about your injury,

how are things? Coming on good now. Working hard at the minute. Doing

gym work to get myself back into fitness again. I have all the

movement back in my arm. Just painful now. Ulster rugby is on a

real roll at the moment, what chances of Michael Dunlop being on a

real roll at the North West 200? Well, you know, hoping that is the

plan. We had a good enough year last year in the 600. If we can just have

a good day, I think we will be good and bring some wins back. The main

thing is keep the Dunlop going. We need to keep at it. See how we get

on. Simple as that! Am I on the same

wages? No. He is useful with the boots on. Michael Dunlop is much

better on a bike. Thanks to everyone at Ulster rugby. Now, it's time for

some racing. The first event is for the Supersport machines. Our expert

is Philip McCaul lum. He has more podiums here at the North West 200

than anybody else. What are you expecting from the racing this year?

I'm expecting lap records. I'm expecting race records. After last

year's washout, I'm expecting the best racing we've had for years at

the North West 200. We have a strong line-up of Irish riders, we have

European, world riders, we have winners from the BSB. What else

could we want? Sunshine? It's absolutely glorious. Time for some

action arounded this unique nine-mile triangle circuit on closed

public roads between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine.

Speeds of in excess of 200mph, it's one of the fastests and most unique

road racing tracks in the world. COMMENTATOR: We start with Alastair

Seeley on pole position in this race, alongside him Michael Rutter

and Lee Johnston surprising everybody. There is a Yamaha

Triumph. Heading up the second row is the Suzuki. Keith Amor, the

comeback kid. Guy Martin and John McGuinness with an injured wrist.

What a grid that is. Michael Dunlop not happy to be on the back of it.

Alastair Seeley happy to be on pole as we wait for the start of this

race. It's GO at the North West 200. Look at the climb to the front.

Michael Rutter, what a start from him. Josh Brookes is riding as well.

We are with Gary Johnson. He is weaving he every which way on the

inside. A busy start from Gary Johnson. Josh Brookes is in there.

Number 34. The bikes are snaking everywhere. Lee Johnston is in the

inside. He has taken Seeley with him. Seeley had to turn right, he

should have turned right. Poor old Alastair Seeley. Let us look at that

again when we get the chance. The leaders - the leader, I should say,

look at him, tucked in behind the bubble. That is Michael Rutter,

first time out on the Triumph being chased by Josh Brookes. You can see

the gap because of that incident. Lee Johnston slams into the side of

Alastair Seeley. What an issue that was. You see number nine was held

up. Keith Amor nearly ran him over. They have done Station Corner. That

was flat out. Bruce Anstey behind the bubble making himself as small

as possible. Josh Brookes, his second time here at the North West

200. He is on the R6. Here we are on board with Alastair Seeley. That is

where it gets fast. Up on the kerb. He will have to turn around. What a

handicap for that man. Gary Johnson doesn't have to have a handicap at

all doeshgs he? Is flat out now. He is. The Wee Wizard fighting his way

through. He was in 16th position. He has an awful lot of ground to make

up. If anyone is going to, it would be that man. He more or less owns

this Supersport class. He has ownership of the North West 200,

biggest winner of recent years, Alastair Seeley. This is the slow

motion here. The number seven machine, Gary Johnson, as we come

underneath the bridge up towards Black Hill as they flash through

this area. The bikes are all over place. There is the number seven

machine of Gary Johnson. Outbraking. Josh Brookes round the outside of

Michael Rutter. He won't be impressed with that. Gary Johnson

will be impressed to lead in this company. Josh Brookes running better

in race trim than I was expecting. Michael Dunlop running worse than he

was expecting. That is the end of his afternoon on the Soviet Unioner

sort sport -- on the Supersport. Alastair Seeley fighting hi way back

up to the front. Tucked down. It is still Gary Johnson through station

corner. Look at this. Gary Johnson, Josh Brookes, Michael Rutter, that

is Guy Martin, Guy Martin, Guy Martin will pass the lot of them. He

is having a look. He pulled out of the slip stream. Nothing in the

power of these bikes. Around about 140/14 brake horsepower. A pass

there. Josh Brookes slams it down the inside. First time on this

machine, first time racing the 600s for a long time. He has been

qualifying. First time shoulder to shoulder with them in the pack.

First time he has experienced the draft here. Think of all that time

with the throttle open on-the-run to University. 15 seconds. There is

Keith Amor. Gary Johnson takes the lead towards the Metro pole. Thrown

out of the seat. The front of the bikes will dip and slam the brakes

on. Trying to get it tipped in. Not running while here at the Metropole.

Guy Martin looking good. Gary Johnson stronger than we expected.

Alastair Seeley reeling them in from behind as the laps unfold. Has he

enough time left in this race to do anything like the miracle that

everybody wanted? Look at that number eight bike wobble from side

to to side. Michael Rutter in the pack. Josh Brookes going past. Into

the juniper chicane as they climb out of there. The Wee

Wizard making up an awful lot of time. On the back end of this pack.

William Dunlop is not really come on strong. We expected him to do well

on that Suzuki 600. He expected to doo-doo really well, I think. No he,

he ran wide now. He has lost ground there, number six, William Dunlop,

didn't work for him. Got on the brakes too late. Couldn't squeeze it

down enough. Here it is again. Who goes past? Back wheel. What is this?

Thank you very much. That is Alastair Seeley. On his way. He is,

oh, Gary Johnson has been passed by that, looks like, Guy Martin. It is

Guy Martin. Guy Martin on it here. Look at the front wheel in the air,

it is slithering. Gary Johnson trying to squeeze. You can see the

black line he left. Writing that one to the limit. Alastair Seeley is at

the limit. He has closed up. It is all change in the slipstream.

Michael Rutter coming out of York Corner, it did not work for him.

Keith Amor goes through. He has made up a lot of ground. Alastair

Seeley, from 16th, he is now in the leading pack. We are four abreast.

Everybody going for a handful of front brake. Guy Martin sneak

through. That is the lead for Guy Martin, but Alastair Seeley in the

mix. All over the place. Michael Rutter going out. Yes, letting the

pack go by. Alastair Seeley does not have any problems. Gary Johnson

watching him go past. This is the bid for the lead, he wants it badly.

How about this for timing? He is going into first. That is so

impressive. Look at that, all the way through to the front of the

pack. Oh, no! Josh Brookes has rammed Gary Johnson out wide. He

will not be impressed with that, Gary Johnson. He will be saying,

bother! He has said the lap record, two seconds under the lap record,

but it is now down to the last lap. This is where Alastair Seeley makes

his experience payoff. They are side-by-side. Who will get on the

brakes latest? It is Alastair Seeley, he has had more track miles

this year. By Martin having a great ride. A beautiful line, he gets on

the power, he will make the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha as wide as

he can. It is an awkward place to get a back marker. He is held up

under the bridge. Alastair Seeley wants to put the bike between him

and Guy Martin. He shuts the door! He did not know he was there! Bad

luck for Guy Martin. Fingers crossed, but it looks like Guy

Martin got thwarted. Alastair Seeley, the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha,

has got it done, his first victory of the weekend. That would have been

a popular victory if he had one from flag to fly, or coming from

potential disaster to do that, tremendous. You feel sorry for Guy

Martin, and Josh Brookes got on the podium.

I could see the pack, I'd caught them one by one, it was a good race

to come from that far back, it is testament to the team and the boys

around me. What a breathtaking, thrilling

opening grace. The rider who has won more Irish road races than anyone

else in history is Ryan Farquhar, he retired last year, on the number of

199 victories, but he could not stay away. He decided to make a

comeback. When Ryan Farquhar retired two years

ago, everyone thought he had closed the book on 20 years but had made

him the most successful Irish road race of all time, but two weeks ago,

the maestro returned. Emotional! I said I would knock it on the head

and spend more time with my family. I have said many times that anybody

who races a motorbike, they are very selfish. I am more selfish than

anybody else. I got involved in running the team on a bigger scale

than I should have. I did not enjoy it. The decision that we came up

with was to get back on a bike, just do a handful of races on smaller

bikes that I enjoy riding. Keith Amor and others as part of my team,

it is working like rock work, I am enjoying racing more than ever.

Jeremy has a lot to learn from us road races. Keith was the biggest

rival I have ever had, especially in my national career. Reduce to be

fierce competitors, we were at each other for the whole of 2008/2009. He

talked me out of retirement. Well, he said he would come out of

retirement if I did. I hand-picked who I wanted to ride on the bikes.

It has never been better. Now, the team are back at the Northwest 200,

where they made history two years ago. In 2012, we filled the podium,

probably the highlight of my team manager career. It was only last

year watching Jeremy go on my bike, changing places every few seconds,

the helicopter following them, I thought, I do miss the Northwest

200. I cannot wait to get back this year with Jeremy and Keith and

myself and Connor filling the podium, to give something special.

There has already been another special landmark, featuring number

200. When you have it in the bag, it is nice, quiet and the first person

to win two Hundred Rd races, to get my 200th official victory, something

very special. This is the next race, the

Supertwins, he starts on the third row. All of his team-mates are in

front of him, including Keith Amor, who is in the middle of the front

row. What a front row it is. Michael

Dunlop, his first time on a twin. Expecting great things from Jeremy

McWilliams. Jamie Hamilton always goes well, the

is not as happy on this vehicle, though. It is time to stop the

talking and start the doing. Ivan Lintin gets away, 100 brake

horsepower, relatively low powered. This is where the action usually

takes place. A bit of bundling of they got off the line, not a good

start from Michael Dunlop. He goes down, that has split the field up.

He has been riding so well. What kind Jeremy McWilliams do? He

misfired during practice. The second wave gets away, Paul Shoesmith goes

first. That is the second time we have seen drama on the first corner.

There were two separate incidents. Two of the riders had a little

touch. Lee Johnston in the slipstream. Jamie Hamilton got

caught up in that. These are the two machines, Ryan Farquhar and Jeremy

McWilliams. There is nothing in it. Look at that! Look at the speed. I

think that was James Cowton, a massive difference in speed.

Late-breaking from James Hillier. Around the roundabout for the first

time, Ivan Lintin has made the break, they have not caught him. He

is the surprise race leader. An amazing start. We are dicing for the

braking area, slamming it down the inside. Jeremy McWilliams. He won

the race last year. We are lapping faster than last year. The Johnston

came firing out of the chicane, he wants to make up ground. Look at the

app that Ivan Lintin has already pulled out. We have not finished the

opening lap, he is already that far ahead, and they are three abreast.

Lee Johnston getting the best of that one. It is extraordinary, to

get that kind of lead from the first lap. They have got that sorted out.

All of these bikes are cul-de-sac is. Realistically, you need to be on

a Kawasaki. That is because Ryan Farquhar has been chewing on them

for so long, but he is not getting the best of this race. The

struggling with this competitive pack. Michael Dunlop, his first time

on a twin machine, he did not really like them, but he has decided to

join the pack. James Hillier, the lap record holder from last year.

The number 44 bike going really well, Jamie Hamilton. He had

terrible times in practice, he was not happy with the bike. He has

fixed it, and that got fixed as well. That was very close. All in

the same team, comeback wizards. When you have the elbows in the

corners, you need to cling onto the seat. We are down, that is Dean

Harrison. He is out of the race. Keep a more asking a bit too much

from the rear tyre. He got away with it. It looked a lot more comfortable

on the seat of the bike. Flat out as they run up towards University.

There is the boss. I still cannot believe he did not make his

motorcycle faster than anybody else's. They are getting buffeted

around. What a lead it is from Ivan Lintin. He has gone. I would not

recommend that! His knee is firmly on the ground. What a race this has

turned out to be in the battle for second, third, fourth, fifth and

sixth. Lee Johnston and the others are sorting the slipstream out, and

Ivan Lintin has long gone. They are really working each other for the

slipstream, they have closed the gap down. Lee Johnston has decided he

will not want to leave him. Ivan Lintin had a four second lead. Lee

Johnston squeezing past, they are chasing the race leader together,

but they are racing each other. Lee Johnston has caught him. He has got

it, Ivan Lintin... The sparks flying. He nailed it through the

final chicane. They have got back a four second lead, Ivan Lintin will

be distraught. Maybe he had a moment or two and Lee Johnston did a bit of

gardening through the chicane. He takes a chequered flag. Two in a row

for Northern Ireland, the first-ever Northwest 200 victory for Lee

Johnston, a very popular victory. Keith Amor's bike let him down.

I have always complained not enjoying riding, so they have worked

hard to get it working a treat. It makes up for that fumble earlier

on. Two victories out of two for

Northern Ireland. The Northwest 200 is the second massive two wheeled

event to take place here in the last month. The jeer at Italia turned

everything pink last week, and I found one rider who is a huge

cycling fan. He is one of the most recognisable road racers around. You

may have seen him building boats on the BBC or breaking world records in

his television show, but I caught up with Guy Martin out for a ride on

his bike. Welcome back to Northern Ireland, to

the Northwest 200, how much do you enjoy road racing here? I love it, I

love it. You have never won a Northwest 200, is this your year? I

haven't, have I? I know! It is a hard one to answer. The question

gets asked every year. I never finish a race thinking, I should

have done this or that. I always give my all. I note you prefer it

low-key, that how do you handle your new-found fame with the TV

programmes, when you try to concentrate on what you do best? I

struggle. Even in the pit lane, can you just signed this? I are not

rude, I do not tell anybody to do one. I try to have time not for

everyone, but I try to sign things and have a key words. I struggle

with it, but I am the one who makes the TV programmes. Is it difficult

for you to find time and concentrate solely on motorcycle racing? Can you

find the time to give it your full commitment? There is no overlap.

Tell me what more I can be doing. Than actually be here? It's not like

I finish practicing, go to work and come back. I'm here for the week to

concentrate on the North West 2 #0 #0. Cycling, not motor cycling,

actual cycling. 200 mile a week, 300 mile a week. The more racing I have

done, the more I get into it. I feel like you have stuff on your

shoulder, pressure from work, pressure from racing. You go out on

your pushbike, out of breath. A lot of sweating. You go home, have a cup

of tea and think - ah. To purge the system. I love it. You should have

turned up earlier for the Giro d'Italia. The weather wasn't so

kind. You can say what you want about road races or MotoGP races.

Cycling, that is the toughest sport of the world. Whether it's the Gi

ro, Tour de France. They are the toughest boys. The mental and

physical torture they put themselves through. As long as you are road

racing we will see you here in Northern Ireland? Yeah. As long as

I'm racing motorbikes, I will be racing over here. He is quite a

character. Guy Martin starts well down the grid for this the next

race, the Superstock. Michael Dunlop is in pole position.

COMMENTATOR: This is the starting grid with Michael Dunlop pole

position. Alastair Seeley alongside him.

John McGuinness, he is still injured. What a line-up. Two great

races already. The a superb grid as we get underway for the third and

final time tonight. Again Michael Rutter, number nine, on the BMW, he

sweeps into the lead as we go down through Millbank Avenue. He has the

Superstock machine as near as you would get to road bikes here at the

North West 2 #0 #0. Alastair Seeley just behind him. -- North West 200.

Will they get through there cleanly this time around? Yes, they have. We

got through the hair pin. We are on board with Alastair Seeley. Already

racked up his 11th win here this weekend. This is going to be win

number 12. As we about go on board with Gary Johnson, off the line. A

lot of power going down there. Wide line for Gary. A brave line. You

don't really want to be on the outside, you get run out. It worked

out. Alastair Seeley already as we go past the gas station, he has

Michael Rutter on the left hand side. It's the scariest corner on

the circuit. Who will be the bravest? He got through. Six-gear

through there. Rolling a tiny bit. Alastair Seeley, Michael Rutter,

with his front wheel waving in the air. Back on board with Gary

Johnson, the slip stream tugging him forward. That is Lee Johnston, he

has gone past. Trying to keep your head under the screen is hard. Dean

Harrison is all right at the moment. Having a good push at it at that

point. That is Horst Saiger. Alastair Seeley hasn't dispensed

with Michael Rutter yet, has he? , he hasn't. That is the BMW. They

join the link road, that is firs-gear corner. Michael Rutter

moves over. He uses the wide line. Using the hard shoulder, seal sigh

doesn't. Who is into the corner first. Seeley, number 34, has the

line through there. Not a great deal of time to be made up here, there is

on the exit. Very important to get the drive out of this. Michael

Rutter on the power earlier. Onto the bumpest part of the circle. You

will see them thrown out of the seat. They get the power down

together. That was Gary Johnson that got the speed and the slip stream.

They are now heading up towards the Mather's chicane. Michael Rutter

down into the inside. He has done it. First-gear corner. Foot out from

Gary Johnson. Michael Dunlop slips into third there. Top four tied

together with a short piece of string. There is a train going down

towards Mather's Cross. This is the line around Ballysally. Alastair

Seeley, Michael Rutter, right behind him. It's neck and neck between Gary

Johnson. Rutter with the front wheel up in the air at about 180mph. Has

been doing a lot of that on this bike. Back on board with Alastair

Seeley, looking for the braking point now. Tip it in and turn it

round. He got that nailed. Braking is one of his major features for

Alastair Seeley. He really has got that sorted out as we look back from

William Dunlop. That is Number Eleven, Stevie Thompson there.

Racing in the pack towards Metropole. Looking for the braking

point. We are looking down on the race leaders. Gary Johnson, just

fending off Michael Rutter. Rutter, look at him trying to stay on that

bike. He is really... Michael Dunlop, Michael Dunlop. Bye tow, up

the inside of both of them. Has he got track position - no! Squeezed

out. The road is not wide enough to get three down there. Look at

Michael Dunlop doing everything he can. It was Rutter there, late on

the brakes. Gary Johnson is out. Unfortunate for him. A shame after

being so strong in the early laps. Now, it's time to be strong in the

late lapse. Michael Dunlop on Martin Jessopp. Horst Saiger behind him. He

is going well. Qualified well in the Superstock. He set a fast lap a 4.26

a lap record. Dean Harrison, not having a good day. Not been his

weekend. Look at this, Michael Rutter on Alastair Seeley. Michael

Rutter has a big fly on his visor, he put his hand up and try and get

the tear off. BMW wheeling. Rutter having to really - look at Michael

having to really - look atMichael Michael Dunlop. Was tremendous

drafting from Michael Dunlop. All the way from behind them through

into the lead. We have had two Northern Ireland winners. Will it be

three? Well, Michael Rutter, get back to him. Here is Dunlop. Look at

his determination in his body language. Look at the backline. He

slides it out of there. We are on the last lap. Who will it be? We are

on board with William Dunlop looking back to Guy Martin. This is for

seventh or eighth position. This is the battle for the lead. Up the

inside goes the Wizard. Seeley, second. Dunlop is first. Can

Alastair Seeley catch Michael Dunlop over the coast road or will we have

a third winner from Northern Ireland here this evening What a popular win

it would be, wouldn't it, for Michael Dunlop, brand new BMW for

him. Four more corners to go. As they go under the railway line.

Climbing up the hill. There we are, on board with him. Michael Dunlop

has had a bit of a slide. At that point the Wizard is through. As he

goes up Black Hill. They are battling this one out. Their bikes

not the most modern on the grid? No, not the fastest either. It will be

interesting to see who has this race. The Wizard is there. Down the

inside. Got the line. Michael Rutter, round the outside of Michael

Dunlop. This is it. The final corner before they climb Juniper Hill. The

Wee Wizard Alastair Seeley will get his 12th win. What about Michael

Rutter in second, flush of youth for him. The second win of the day for

Alastair Seeley. Watch them rise their feet in the grand stands as he

takes the chequered flag. What a last lap that was? Terrific. Michael

Rutter one of his best races. Martin Jessopp in fourth. Horst Saiger,

fifth. He got the lap record. Michael's bike was misbehaving a

bit. We were solid. Put the pass on. From there on in I lay-down braking

markers that week at that Juniper Hill chicane. Braked late, fired it

out and got it home for another win. Two in a day for Alastair Seeley,

three in the day for Northern Ireland. Let us not forget Lee

Johnston. It's celebration time for the Wee Wizard. Alastair Seeley is

the fourth most successful rider in the history of this event behind

Robert Dunlop, Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter. He did it in

exciting fashion? You can't hold records forever. He did. He won fair

and square. I think Alastair has this place sussed. He knows how to

win here. Lee Johnston, superb win for him. Three Northern Ireland wins

tonight. But there is more to come. Michael Dunlop wants to prove a

point. OK. Philip, thank you very much. You can see all of tomorrow's

racing live by locking on to the BBC sport website. We have live

commentary right throughout the day on Radio Ulster. Our second

highlights programme is on Sunday night on BBC One at .30pm. Our last

show, Monday night 10.35pm on BBC One. On the first day of racing at

the North West 200 it has been a hat-trick for Northern Ireland.

Goodbye for now. Guy Martin just behind him.

This is the run down to Metropole.