:00:56. > :01:03.The north Atlantic coastline of Northern Ireland is a beautiful
:01:04. > :01:06.sight. Miles and miles of stunning views, seaside towns, historical
:01:07. > :01:16.ruins and world-famous landmarks like here at the Giants Causeway.
:01:17. > :01:24.But in the month of May every year it's the roads that provide all the
:01:25. > :01:30.entertainment and excitement. Normally open to the public, nine
:01:31. > :01:34.miles are closed for motorcycle racing.
:01:35. > :01:41.And this is a event like no other. This is the international North West
:01:42. > :01:52.200. Road racing is one of Northern
:01:53. > :01:59.Ireland's oldest sporting traditions. A glorious evening. They
:02:00. > :02:10.have been racing here for over 80 years. On the straights and through
:02:11. > :02:23.the countryside. At speeds of over 200 mph. Welcome to highlights of
:02:24. > :02:27.this year 's international North West 200. One of Northern Ireland's
:02:28. > :02:32.biggest and best sporting events. Many of the giants of motorcycle
:02:33. > :02:35.road racing are here to provide some exciting, exhilarating
:02:36. > :02:41.entertainment. Here are some of the contenders. Michael Dunlop, one of
:02:42. > :02:51.the biggest crowd puller is in road racing. Martin Jessopp is a talented
:02:52. > :02:59.Englishman who is in search of his first Northwest win.
:03:00. > :03:07.After a year of injury, Lee Johnston is fit again and back to his best.
:03:08. > :03:21.Dean Harrison has made a fast start to this season, he's looking for his
:03:22. > :03:25.first North West podium. And Alistair Seeley, the master of the
:03:26. > :03:32.circuit, he is the event record holder with 17 victories.
:03:33. > :03:40.Alistair Seeley is in pole position for this, the first race of the
:03:41. > :03:44.event, for Supersport machines. These talented riders will race
:03:45. > :03:48.around this unique circuit which wind its way through the three towns
:03:49. > :03:53.of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush. Slipstreaming on the
:03:54. > :03:57.ultrafast straights is key and mastering the Coast Road section
:03:58. > :04:05.vital. Who will be successful in this first race? I am joined by
:04:06. > :04:12.Michael Laverty, is Alistair Seeley beatable? Does not look so today,
:04:13. > :04:16.looks on top form but there is pedigree on this grid. You have got
:04:17. > :04:28.the store words and then people like Ian Hutchinson, William Dunlop,
:04:29. > :04:34.anyone could win, slipstream play such a part. Once they get into the
:04:35. > :04:40.white, six laps, anything could happen. Michael Dunlop on the
:04:41. > :04:43.Yamaha. He's been looking comfortable on the 600 and the rest
:04:44. > :04:49.Superbike, he could definitely deliver. Once he gets in the mix and
:04:50. > :04:54.gets the adrenaline pumping having him happen. Thank you, time to join
:04:55. > :05:04.the commentary team, Steve Parish and Richard Nicholls. COMMENTATOR:
:05:05. > :05:07.Time for the first race of the 2017 North West 200 international with
:05:08. > :05:13.Alistair Seeley the favourite and an pole position at head of Lee Johnson
:05:14. > :05:17.and Michael Dunlop. Martin Jessopp on the Triumph, Dean Harrison and
:05:18. > :05:26.James Hillier on the second row. Lots of famous names. Perfect
:05:27. > :05:34.practice conditions so everyone's bike is Dale Bennett, or so it
:05:35. > :05:38.should be. Lee Johnson, Alistair Seeley getting squeezed out a little
:05:39. > :05:45.bit. Lee Johnson got the start there. Going over the top of
:05:46. > :05:53.Primrose Hill down towards York road. Martin Jessopp at the front by
:05:54. > :05:57.quite a mile. They are trying to get it sorted out here, from this point
:05:58. > :06:03.of view it looks like they have, Alistair Seeley squeezing up the
:06:04. > :06:09.inside. Up to the roundabout, Guy Martin, started from the second
:06:10. > :06:14.wave. Guy Martin back road racing but not having it all his own way,
:06:15. > :06:19.he's been away quite a long time and not really used to be. The start on
:06:20. > :06:28.board with James Cowton, look how busy it is. Bruce almost got his
:06:29. > :06:36.handlebar tangled up. We are on board with Alistair Seeley. There
:06:37. > :06:42.goes the new Yamaha, should be fast. But the Kawasaki going well. Martin
:06:43. > :06:47.Jessopp out in the lead by some margin, going over the crest, that
:06:48. > :06:52.was how they started, look where Alistair Seeley was, back in fourth.
:06:53. > :07:08.Now in second place and closing I think. Lee Johnson in there. Oh my
:07:09. > :07:14.goodness. Michael Dunlop isn't it? Alistair Seeley is going backwards,
:07:15. > :07:21.he is right down, going backwards through the pack. Guy Martin leading
:07:22. > :07:27.the second wave as you would expect from a rider of his stature. On
:07:28. > :07:36.board with Dean Harrison, Alistair Seeley in front of us. Martin
:07:37. > :07:42.Jessopp still out in front. Alistair Seeley not running at the pace we
:07:43. > :07:51.would expect. It's not what we normally see from him. Nice
:07:52. > :07:55.out-braking move, still on board with Alistair Seeley, church Corner,
:07:56. > :07:59.getting his way through. Michael Dunlop in front of us. Alistair
:08:00. > :08:04.Seeley trying everything he can, we would expect him to be at the front
:08:05. > :08:16.but he's dropped into fourth place and there is Dean Harrison. They
:08:17. > :08:24.have been struggling with that as they brushed shoulders, Martin
:08:25. > :08:29.Jessopp is so committed to this. Yamaha leading the Triumph. In third
:08:30. > :08:38.place... Year comes Seeley through the inside, Martin Jessopp did not
:08:39. > :08:54.know he was there. Martin Dunlop squeezed out. It's still Hutchy that
:08:55. > :09:03.leads. Trying so hard, cannot get past Hutchy, Seeley right in touch.
:09:04. > :09:10.This is how they came over the top. Poetry in motion. Seeley, his bike
:09:11. > :09:14.does not seem that fast at the moment but he still using the
:09:15. > :09:23.slipstream, Michael Dunlop on the other Yamaha. He's pulled over, he's
:09:24. > :09:26.got a problem, what a shame for him, starting on pole position. Martin
:09:27. > :09:32.Jessopp from Ian Hutchinson, Dean Harrison hanging in there. Martin
:09:33. > :09:37.Jessopp never won a North West 200 race. He's been there or thereabouts
:09:38. > :09:46.so this would be something special. James Cowton having a quieter time
:09:47. > :09:54.of it now. Harrison up the inside of Lee Johnson. Look at the focus on
:09:55. > :09:59.Dean Harrison's face. The Triumph Daytona sounds beautiful, three
:10:00. > :10:04.cylinder machine. What a special day this would be for Martin Jessopp on
:10:05. > :10:09.the Triumph. Alistair Seeley not having the special day his band is
:10:10. > :10:13.expected, coming here looking for a win number 18, 19 and beyond for
:10:14. > :10:19.Alistair Seeley but it looks like Martin Jessopp distilling his
:10:20. > :10:30.blunder, Alistair Seeley into the pit lane. Just started losing power,
:10:31. > :10:35.braking down and coming in and braking down. I was contemplating
:10:36. > :10:40.just pulling over because it's kind of dangerous around here to be
:10:41. > :10:44.cutting out and in so I started short shifting thinking would clear
:10:45. > :10:49.itself but it was getting worse. Had a good look and then it home. I
:10:50. > :10:56.don't know what the problem is but it's unfortunate. He is hiding his
:10:57. > :11:03.disappointment well, you know that will hurt him. Very much so, but it
:11:04. > :11:06.is still the Yamaha of Hutchy, brand-new bike, they brought the old
:11:07. > :11:12.one but the new one is going all right. Look at that. Having a good
:11:13. > :11:17.look, Jessopp has dropped back into third place. There is going to be
:11:18. > :11:24.some slipstreaming going on this time around. Dean Harrison right in
:11:25. > :11:29.the mix behind Hutchy, Martin Jessopp still in it, Lee Johnson
:11:30. > :11:37.fourth, it's not over yet. Michael Dunlop is there as well. Hutchy
:11:38. > :11:43.leads them into another lap, has the bike come good? He has switched to
:11:44. > :11:52.Dunlop tyres so he is readjusting his brain. Decided to move over to
:11:53. > :11:56.the Dunlops, said it takes some sorting out with suspension and
:11:57. > :12:01.needs all the suspension as you can see over the jumps and bumps here.
:12:02. > :12:07.Looking on the brakes, Jessopp still good, four as they come through
:12:08. > :12:15.here, Dean Harrison Kawasaki, or listen to the engine screaming,
:12:16. > :12:19.about 15,000 rpm. Harrison out of the slipstream, Jessopp getting a
:12:20. > :12:28.better tour from behind. Went for the inside. Who is going to give in?
:12:29. > :12:35.Look at that, Jessopp getting peppered by the stones in the middle
:12:36. > :12:40.of the track. Jessopp, look at that, the diminutive Lee Johnson coming
:12:41. > :12:47.through, on the other side, look how close they are, these bikes doing
:12:48. > :12:52.175 mph. I think Lee Johnson is loving it the most at the moment but
:12:53. > :13:00.Martin Jessopp, that Triumph, it's got the edge. Seven of them all in a
:13:01. > :13:05.bunch. Unreal, it looks like partridges as they hurtle down into
:13:06. > :13:11.there. Lee Johnson has shuffled well down the order. Tremendous stuff.
:13:12. > :13:22.Really is very special seeing them battling it out. On board with James
:13:23. > :13:31.Cowton. Accelerating out. It is bumpy. Still Jessopp, Dean Harrison
:13:32. > :13:35.and look down there. Look at them, swapping places like this is short
:13:36. > :13:44.circuit racing, that is why you get the 600's out first and everyone is
:13:45. > :13:51.entertained. Hutchy about to get mugged, Jessopp is clear, Hutchy
:13:52. > :13:59.hangs onto second place. On board with Dean Harrison as we come up to
:14:00. > :14:04.Church Corner, second gear corner. Jessopp has got this sorted, Hutchy
:14:05. > :14:13.is not close enough through the chicane. Look at them, one, two,
:14:14. > :14:22.three, four, five, that close. It is going to be Jessopp's first mend
:14:23. > :14:29.mac. Coming through, Martin Jessopp on the Triumph going through, cannot
:14:30. > :14:34.believe, how long ago was it Triumph won Horatio? Many years ago. We were
:14:35. > :14:44.both youngsters but that is the confirmation.
:14:45. > :14:53.Congratulations, your first North West 200 win? I'm lost for words a
:14:54. > :14:58.bit, put in so much work, it's a family run team, me and my old man
:14:59. > :15:02.and all my mates come along, whenever I want a result, we don't
:15:03. > :15:06.have big sponsors so when we get a result I am so chuffed not for
:15:07. > :15:10.myself but my boys, put in so much work every year for me and to play
:15:11. > :15:23.them with a win, it's one of many hopefully.
:15:24. > :15:32.Three English riders, first North West 200 podium. Could we get
:15:33. > :15:36.another one? Michael looks as though he has come to race, it has been a
:15:37. > :15:41.dry spell but he definitely looks as though he is at home, and has got
:15:42. > :15:47.the fight back in the belly. Hopefully we can see him
:15:48. > :15:53.challenging. The Northern Ireland title, two experienced guys, the
:15:54. > :16:02.biggest challengers? Both Alistair Seeley and Hutchinson, have looked
:16:03. > :16:08.experience, both of them racing week in week out, big fight with BMWs,
:16:09. > :16:22.and Harrison would strong. It should be another cracker. Expecting a
:16:23. > :16:37.cracker. Certainly. And Alistair Seeley, the lap record holder. Pole.
:16:38. > :16:41.34. BMW. Row two... And make all Dunlop, as well as the man from
:16:42. > :16:46.worked in Spain. It looks like the BMW first. Getting ready for the
:16:47. > :16:53.start of the secondaries of the evening. The Northwest 200. The
:16:54. > :16:59.board raised. Watch the lights. This is it. Unleashing about 200
:17:00. > :17:08.horsepower. Alistair Seeley getting away. Rutter got the drop. Harrison
:17:09. > :17:16.goes alongside Johnston. They know each other well. Going through
:17:17. > :17:23.Primrose Hull. And what about the 45-year-old, having that new lease
:17:24. > :17:29.of life. Leads out of the corner. Must have been having the porridge
:17:30. > :17:35.at the hotel! William Dunlop has not had a happy week so far. Does not
:17:36. > :17:45.look happy. Perfect conditions. The track temperature, 25 degrees.
:17:46. > :17:54.Second wave away. Through station corner. 185mph. Just look at that.
:17:55. > :18:02.Could not quite seafood that was. Slipstream at work. Everybody coming
:18:03. > :18:08.past. And he has been passed by everybody. Absolutely. Alistair
:18:09. > :18:15.Seeley, the wizard, but he has gone white. How lucky was that? The
:18:16. > :18:22.pavement. Alistair Seeley has lost an enormous amount of time. I do not
:18:23. > :18:28.know what happened. Cheeky recovery from the was. Going to be talking
:18:29. > :18:37.about that and eight. It has cost him the chance possibly of 18th win.
:18:38. > :18:42.Out the frame. An just looked at this. I am trying to work out, I
:18:43. > :18:50.think he has missed a gear. When you do that, you do not have engine
:18:51. > :18:55.break. Pavement there! That was perfect. I do not know if that was
:18:56. > :19:03.rehearsed. Everybody has made a note of that. And Michael Dunlop, going
:19:04. > :19:12.very deep. Extremely deep. I do not know what is going on. And Harrison,
:19:13. > :19:16.number nine, on the outside. Very much. Back through again. Rutter,
:19:17. > :19:22.11. Looking good in these lovely conversions this evening. And bang
:19:23. > :19:28.in for seems reinvigorated. Absolutely bang in form. Key has
:19:29. > :19:32.never not been competitive, he just tries not to let that shall in
:19:33. > :19:39.public. But he desperately wants to win. That has not gone away. And
:19:40. > :19:46.Johnston, you can see him coming out of that at fourth gear. What has
:19:47. > :19:49.Alistair Seeley got up his sleeve? Difficult job to try to come
:19:50. > :20:05.through. This is Dunlop, the Yamaha... Then machine that he has
:20:06. > :20:08.borrowed back from last year. Going down to York Road corner, Sweeney
:20:09. > :20:15.behind him. Johnston. Fine view. Rutter out in front. I think that
:20:16. > :20:21.was a problem. That was more than slipstream. He was slowing.
:20:22. > :20:29.Unfortunately, we saw that Suzuki, playing around with the suspension.
:20:30. > :20:38.Alistair Seeley backed out in front. Rutter in trouble. Johnston chasing
:20:39. > :20:43.Harrison. Rutter we think has pulled out. We saw Dunlop go. And these
:20:44. > :20:52.three, battling for the podium. Alistair Seeley has got this nailed.
:20:53. > :20:57.He has got some fast laps, back on board with Dunlop, going through the
:20:58. > :21:03.chicane, trying to keep that front wheel on the ground. Just about 200
:21:04. > :21:10.horsepower. Look at this. Alistair Seeley, has just pulled the pin.
:21:11. > :21:18.Away. Absolutely. You do not see Alistair Seeley raiding weight that
:21:19. > :21:22.often. -- riding like that. Could that be second place settled? I do
:21:23. > :21:29.not think it is. Both of them, good mates. Hang out together. Doing that
:21:30. > :21:35.here, at the Northwest 200. Going to be enjoying this. And Harrison,
:21:36. > :21:41.number nine. But Alistair Seeley looks like use on his way. Lap times
:21:42. > :21:45.down all the while. He has got the record but I am certain that he is
:21:46. > :21:51.going to blast that. He is also the gap, blasting never mind managing
:21:52. > :21:58.it. Perhaps losing some time, battling among themselves, Johnston
:21:59. > :22:05.not looking too hard over the shoulder but dropping back. Yes.
:22:06. > :22:12.Crowd in the sunshine. Alistair Seeley again, the wee wizard. Going
:22:13. > :22:23.into that tight roundabout. Heads off. And looked at the style.
:22:24. > :22:31.Underneath the screen, even when he has the bike leant over. Shifting
:22:32. > :22:36.body weight. That was extremely well-behaved, compared to earlier.
:22:37. > :22:40.On the gas here. You have got to be. These production bikes have got
:22:41. > :22:46.better electronics than the super qui. They have got the downshift,
:22:47. > :23:01.quick flippers, traction control and you can adjust how you want.
:23:02. > :23:06.Hillier. Oh! Jamie squeezed out. I think Jamie outbreaked it. Lap
:23:07. > :23:14.record blasted. Number 34, Alistair Seeley, taking that old record. And
:23:15. > :23:20.Harrison has just taken his old mate, Johnston, in the slip stream.
:23:21. > :23:23.You can almost see the shadow. How close was that? I can imagine
:23:24. > :23:28.Harrison was looking across, smiling, having fun today. Just look
:23:29. > :23:38.at this. Alistair Seeley pushing hard. That BMW, scrambling for some
:23:39. > :23:43.grip. Flicks it through the chicane. Going to start the last lap, the
:23:44. > :23:47.board going to tell them that he has about the seven second advantage.
:23:48. > :23:55.Probably going to tell him just to back off, he can take things easy,
:23:56. > :24:00.and bring it home safely. Johnston, second at the moment. Has that been
:24:01. > :24:07.enough? We have got a lot more slipstreaming yet, to do. Starting
:24:08. > :24:14.his last lap. Harrison, Barrington, going towards that kerb, Primrose
:24:15. > :24:23.Hill. This is a good chance for the outbraking. Harrison, going to have
:24:24. > :24:28.a stab at Johnston? Not really close enough. That is not going to happen.
:24:29. > :24:38.It is going to the university, almost 200mph. Incredible. Very much
:24:39. > :24:48.so. Shiels behind him? And at that moment, we saw at the slip road
:24:49. > :24:54.earlier, York on the brakes there... Week of run a little deep there. All
:24:55. > :25:02.right! It was just good from Shiels. And these two, still battling.
:25:03. > :25:10.Harrison, close enough to get the slipstream, but some stability
:25:11. > :25:23.issues there from the 34. The BMW. Throttle pinned. And on board with
:25:24. > :25:30.Dunlop. You can hear that growl of the Yamaha. Camber drops. But
:25:31. > :25:36.Alistair Seeley, going to have a big grin on his face. It has all come to
:25:37. > :25:39.plan, even though he had that excursion on the pavement. It was an
:25:40. > :25:45.extraordinary recovery, dating back to the front. He still had Rutter to
:25:46. > :25:52.content with, but plenty of opportunities to find out on
:25:53. > :25:59.Saturday. Win number 18 for the wee wizard! Fabulous. Just so good
:26:00. > :26:06.around this socket. It must be the moralising for the other drivers.
:26:07. > :26:18.Absolutely. Confirmation. Seeley wins by 12 seconds. Alistair, you
:26:19. > :26:23.have extended the record number of wins, record-breaking fashion. It
:26:24. > :26:26.does not get much better? I thought that was needed, and I have just
:26:27. > :26:33.been told by the BMW boss we have got the record. Just add that Magic
:26:34. > :26:38.roundabout, I had to pick the bike up, went after Rutter, Harrison. I
:26:39. > :26:46.thought with the speed that I could catch them quickly, plus four,
:26:47. > :26:52.seven, eight. And then I just told myself, do not do anything silly on
:26:53. > :27:00.the last lap. It has been a sizzling start to the Northwest 200. And
:27:01. > :27:07.another unstoppable win for Seeley? Absolutely dominant. To put that
:27:08. > :27:12.lead in... Yes. Just looking so comfortable. The master. Six wins
:27:13. > :27:24.under his belt now. Extended the podium record. Yes. Unbelievable.
:27:25. > :27:32.Winner for ten years in a row. Even more true,? Absolutely. He looks
:27:33. > :27:40.extremely on form. Put him on that super bike on Saturday, the record
:27:41. > :27:46.is going to go for sure with weather like this. Definitely more to come.
:27:47. > :27:58.The truth make it six. And we have got a lot more Northwest 200 action,
:27:59. > :28:02.over the next few days. The next television specials, on Sunday
:28:03. > :28:10.evening, BBC One, and the programme includes action from three more
:28:11. > :28:15.races, including the super twin class, super bikes on the grid. Hour
:28:16. > :28:28.long highlights on Monday, and all the shows are available on demand,
:28:29. > :28:34.on that I play -- iplayer. Roads close tomorrow at 9:15. Massive
:28:35. > :28:38.crowds expected. If you are going to be coming, come here early!